Gatwick Express Service

Philip Hammond: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport 
	(1)  what safety issues (a) at stations and (b) on trains were considered prior to the publication of the Strategic Rail Authority's Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Study proposal to remove the all day Gatwick Express Service;
	(2)  what account the Strategic Rail Authority has taken of the safety report commissioned by BAA and submitted to the Strategic Rail Authority in consideration of its plans to remove the all day Gatwick Express;
	(3)  if he will make a statement on the changes proposed for the Gatwick Express Service set out in the Strategic Rail Authority's Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Study;
	(4)  what account the Strategic Rail Authority took of the expected increase in numbers of passengers using Gatwick airport outlined in the Air Transport Policy in its Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Study proposals to remove the all day Gatwick Express service;
	(5)  what assessment he has made of the expected change in road use that would ensue if proposals to remove the all day Gatwick Express Service, as set out in the Strategic Rail Authority's Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Study, are implemented.

Tony McNulty: The draft Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy does not propose removing the London Victoria to Gatwick airport service. It proposes keeping the fast, Gatwick to Victoria services, and increasing their frequency from four to eight trains per hour. Services will be extended to cover south coast destinations. In developing the strategy the SRA reviewed a number of documents and data sources to understand future growth demands, this included "The Future of Air Transport" White Paper. The SRA and Network Rail are continuing to work closely together regarding passenger handling issues at Gatwick airport station, and are considering the issues identified in BAA's safety assessment. Given that the RUS proposals aim to improve the performance and reliability of train services on the Brighton Main Line, making services more attractive to passengers, it is not expected to have an adverse effect on road congestion. The views raised in consultation will be taken into account before the final Brighton Main Line Route Utilisation Strategy is issued.

Railways

Parmjit Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many recorded (a) deaths and (b) serious injuries there were on railway lines resulting from trespass in (i) Leicester and (ii) England and Wales in each year since 1997.

Tony McNulty: The Health and Safety Executive's Railway Inspectorate (HMRI) advises that between 1997 and 2004 there was one fatality (a confirmed suicide in 2000–01), but the provision of more specific detailed information in the form requested would entail disproportionate cost.
	Details of the number of fatalities and injuries resulting from railway trespass in Great Britain since 1997 are set out in the following table. HMRI advises that the provision of trespass data for England and Wales since 1997 could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	
		Railway fatalities: Trespass and Suicides Great Britain,1 April 1997 to 31 December 2004
		
			  Trespassers Suicides Grand total 
			  Fatal Injured Fatal Injured Fatal Injured 
		
		
			 1997–98 108 115 157 21 265 136 
			 1998–99 132 130 115 19 247 149 
			 1999–2000 141 115 133 29 274 144 
			 2000–01 168 148 132 29 300 177 
			 2001–02 147 145 124 34 271 179 
			 2002–03 141 111 117 26 258 137 
			 2003–04 149 113 98 29 247 142 
			 2004(1) 157 — 36 — 193 — 
		
	
	(1) Covers the period 1 April 2004 to 31 December 2004 only; and is provisional and may be subject to change.

Early-day Motions

Lembit �pik: To ask the hon. Member for Roxburgh and Berwickshire, representing the House of Commons Commission what the marginal cost is of processing an early day motion; and how this figure is calculated.

Archy Kirkwood: Costs of processing Early Day Motions (EDMs) include the time of Clerks in vetting the motion, costs of staff entering the data and costs of printing and publication, which depend on the number of times motions are reprinted. EDMs vary in size and complexity and the number of names added to them may be one or many. Processing and printing EDMs is only one of a number of tasks carried out by the staff involved and no realistic disaggregation can be made which can give a cost, marginal or otherwise, of all aspects of processing a single EDM. The best estimate available of the overall costs of printing and publishing Early Day Motions in 200304 is 573,000, giving an average cost per EDM of 263.

Agriculture and Fisheries Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council on 14 March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: My hon. Friend, the Parliamentary Secretary, and I represented the United Kingdom at the meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 14 March 2005. Ministers responsible for fisheries and agriculture in Northern Ireland and Scotland were also present.
	The Council agreed a proposal concerning establishment of an EU Fisheries Control Agency, which the European Council had previously agreed to sit in Spain. We were able to support a compromise proposal for commission representation on the Agency's administrative board.
	The Commission reported progress in negotiations with the Russian Federation to agree certain plant and animal health controls. While the UK has not so far been among the member states most affected by Russian requirements, it was encouraging that progress was being made to resolve the remaining differences.
	The main item for discussion at this Council was Rural Development. The presidency focused discussion on a small number of issues in the current proposal to revise the Rural Development Regulation, principally focussing on the LEADER reserve and inviting comments on the Rural Development Strategy which it is planned to table in June. I reiterated the importance we attach to devoting at least half of the financial resources under the Regulation to environmental work, expressed some doubt as to the level of the LEADER reserve proposed and supported others in giving a general welcome to the likely shape of the strategy framework.
	The Commission presented a progress report on implementation of the EU forestry strategy. Member states took note.
	The Commission also presented proposals for EU measures to address market crises through new risk management techniques in the industry. This was a brief presentation, with substantial discussion planned for later in the year. The Commission made it clear that it opposed extending any kind of generalised safety net provision such as that found in the current beef regime. It also indicated that the use of any modulated funds would only be possible in the context of rural development programmes and measures that were compatible with the WTO Green Box.
	Under Any Other Business, we raised the question of cetacean by catches and the need for greater protection of dolphins. The Commission undertook to call for international research on the subject to be accelerated. Portugal drew attention to the difficulties that prolonged drought had caused in its rural areas.
	Over lunch, the Commission updated Ministers on the WTO agriculture negotiations. I welcomed recent progress and reminded the Council of the importance of making progress in good time for the Hong Kong Ministerial in December.

Environment Council

Jimmy Hood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Environment Council on 10 March; what the Government's stance was on the issues discussed, including its voting record; and if she will make a statement.

Elliot Morley: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State, attended the Environment Council on 10 March 2005.
	The main outcome of the Council was the adoption of two sets of conclusions. One set forms a contribution from the Environment Council to the Spring European Council (scheduled for the 22 and 23 March 2005) and is a response to four Commission communications: the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy, the 2004 Environmental Policy Review, an initial review of the EU Sustainable Development Strategy and a report on implementation of the Environmental Technologies Action Plan. The second set of conclusions represents the Environment Council's recommendations to the Spring European Council on climate change, specifically medium to long term emission reduction strategies and targets.
	Council conclusions on the Environment Council's contribution to the Spring European Council were adopted after a full discussion. Almost all delegations supported the presidency text and emphasised that environmental protection and economic growth went hand in hand. The Secretary of State supported the idea of a statement of principles for sustainable development, but emphasised that these should be integrated into the revised EU Sustainable Development Strategy. In this context, the Secretary of State referred to the recently published UK Sustainable Development Strategy, an executive summary of which was circulated to delegations.
	Council conclusions on climate change were adopted following a debate. The conclusions reaffirm the December 2004 Environment Council conclusions, referring to the global nature of climate change and the requirement for international co-operation, and to recent scientific research under the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on the stabilisation of greenhouse gas concentrations required to meet the 2 degrees centigrade objective. Drawing on this research, the conclusions suggest the consideration of pathways to 2020 and 2050 for greenhouse gas emission reduction in developed countries. The agreed text makes clear that the EU wishes to explore the future framework with others and that the language on emissions reductions is an evidence-based assessment rather than a prescriptive call for action. The conclusions also invite the European Commission to continue its analysis of costs and benefits of reduction strategies, including the costs of inaction.
	Council adopted a Decision on a negotiating mandate for the second Meeting of the Parties to the Aarhus Convention on access to information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters, which is scheduled for 2527 May 2005 in Almaty, Kazakhstan.
	Council also adopted a negotiating mandate in preparation for the second meeting of the parties to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety, scheduled for 30 May-3 June 2005 in Montreal. The negotiating mandate was adopted under qualified majority voting procedures, following a presidency compromise which included the addition of UK-proposed wording.
	Council conclusions were adopted in preparation for the first conference of the parties to the Stockholm Convention on persistent organic pollutants, which is scheduled for 26 May 2005 in Punta del Este, Uruguay. The presidency thanked the UK for chairing the preparatory work for this conference on its behalf. Council conclusions were agreed unanimously following a small amendment to reflect the concerns of two delegations.
	Minister John Ashe (Antigua and Barbuda), Chair of the 13th Session of the Commission for Sustainable Development (CSD 13), briefed the Council on preparations for the next session which will take place on 1122 April 2005. An exchange of views followed, in which member states and the Commission stressed the importance of links between CSD 13 and the Millennium Review Summit to be held in September.
	Under Other Business, the presidency gave an update on negotiations on the REACH chemicals strategy and Belgium presented items on the import of wild birds and illegal logging. Germany raised the proposed Services Directive, arguing that country of origin rules presented a threat to national environmental standards, and should not result in levelling down, a view which was supported by some other member states. The Commission referred ministers to the recent statements to the Competitiveness Council and European Parliament on this issue, and other delegations took the view it was too early for Environment Council to discuss the scope of this measure. Austria, with support from a number of member states, raised an issue concerning the Commission's approach to national safeguard actions in relation to GM maize variety MON 810. The Netherlands set out concerns about the possible dilution of EU standards in a current review of the automotive industry ('CARS 21') and the Czech Republic announced a forthcoming conference on Acid Deposition.

Environmental Standards

Anne McIntosh: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps she takes to ensure that regulatory impact assessments of new policies accurately reflect the economic effects of high environmental standards.

Elliot Morley: Since 1 April 2004 all new policies have been accompanied by a regulatory impact assessments (RIA). The RIA replaced the integrated policy appraisal (IPA). All RIAs must include an assessment of the environmental and social costs and benefits, in addition to the economic costs and benefits of a new regulation. The full RIA for all policies which affect businesses must also include an assessment of the impact on competition within UK markets.
	The majority of UK environmental legislation derives from Europe. Defra and the UK Government are promoting the Better Regulation agenda in Europe, including the use of detailed impact assessments for all policy proposals. The UK will be using its EU presidency to advance this work.

Fisheries

John Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuant to the answer of 10 January 2005, Official Report, column 171W, on fisheries, what the weights were of the discards estimates.

Ben Bradshaw: The tonnage equivalents of the percentages given in response to the hon. Member's previous question are set out in the following table.
	
		Estimates (in tonnes) of discards for the Scottish North Sea fleet and for a representative sample of the English North Sea fleet
		
			 Species 2001 2002 2003 
		
		
			 England
			 Cod 1,300 1,350 635 
			 Haddock 3,709 1,073 588 
			 Whiting 7,061 2,642 4,676 
			 
			 Scotland
			 Cod 4,440 1,519 1,086 
			 Haddock 86,297 32,196 18,555 
			 Whiting 8,869 8,315 5,931

Fisheries

Candy Atherton: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many UK fishing vessels are expected to start the deployment of pingers to prevent porpoise deaths in set net fisheries in the North Sea in June; and if she will bring forward the mandatory deployment of pingers to prevent porpoise deaths in set net fisheries in the English Channel and Celtic Sea.

Ben Bradshaw: Council Regulation (EC) no. 812/2004 requires, inter alia, pinger usage from 1 June 2005 on vessels of 12 metres and over in the North Sea (ICES division IV) when using bottom-set gillnets or entangling nets where the mesh size used is greater than or equal to 220 mm.
	The number of vessels that are expected to fall into this category is eight. This figure is based on those involved in the fishery in 2004 but does not take into account movements into and out of the fishery.
	The Council Regulation requires the mandatory usage of pingers in the English Channel and Celtic Sea with effect from 1 January 2006 and 1 January 2007 respectively.

Nuclear Waste

Llew Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment she has made of the merits of publishing the original Nirex list of potential sites' suitability for the burial of nuclear waste.

Elliot Morley: The Nirex site list information comes from a historic and abandoned programme. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) does not hold the Nirex site list information. Future policy for the long-term management of the UK's higher activity radioactive waste is currently being considered under the Managing Radioactive Waste Safety programme.

River Dove

Mark Todd: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs if she will make a statement on the progress of the preparation of a fluvial strategy for the River Dove.

Elliot Morley: The Environment Agency is undertaking a flood risk management strategy for the River Dove catchment.
	I understand that following consultation on the scoping report in April 2004, the Environment Agency undertook a preliminary strategic review (PSR) of the current flooding situation on the River Dove. This enabled further studies to focus on areas at risk of flooding and key issues.
	The PSR highlighted a number of flooding problems in the catchment as well as the potential need for a flood defence scheme at Scopton and Hatton. It also questioned the limitations of the existing hydraulic model and surveys of the river.
	In response to this, the Environment Agency is currently undertaking an aerial survey of the river. This will enable improved modelling of the flood plain between Rochester and the confluence with the River Trent, including key tributaries. The agency expect the model to be available from August 2005. It will be used to assess the viability of catchment wide strategic solutions to the flooding problems.
	The updated hydraulic model will also be used by the Environment Agency's development control and flood warning teams in their ongoing programmes of continual improvements to their standards of service.

Wildlife and Countryside Act

Tony Banks: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many licences have been issued under (a) section 16(1)(k) and (b) section 16(3)(h) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in each of the last 10 years.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 8 March 2005
	The number of licences issued under (a) section 16(1)(k) 1 and (b) section 16(3)(h) 2 of the Wildlife and presented in the following table.
	1 For the purposes of preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber, [fisheries or inland waters],
	2 For the purposes of preventing serious damage to livestock, foodstuffs for livestock, crops, vegetables, fruit, growing timber or any other form of property or to fisheries.
	
		
			  (a) (b) Total 
		
		
			 2001 100 216 316 
			 2002 112 297 409 
			 2003 176 405 581 
			 2004 281 260 541 
			 2005 118 61 (3)179 
		
	
	(3) Up to 18 March
	The analysis of licences issued during the previous five years involves a disproportionate cost and has not been supplied.

Civil Contingencies

Richard Allan: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what assistance is being provided by his Department to local authorities to enable them to carry out their duties under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 in respect of (a) local business continuity and (b) threats to telecommunications networks.

David Miliband: I have been asked to reply.
	The Civil Contingencies Act 2004 requires relevant local authorities to put in place internal business continuity plans and to provide advice and assistance to local businesses and voluntary organisations in relation to business continuity management. The Government held a public consultation on the supporting regulations and guidance between December to March, and will publish the revised package shortly.
	The National Infrastructure Security Co-ordination Centre (NISCC) provides guidance to local authorities about the threats to telecommunications systems and building their resilience. The NISCC guidance enables local authorities to make informed decisions about resilience in their dealings with telecommunications service providers.

Housing

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister what powers (a) regional housing boards and (b) regional chambers will have to set (i) targets and (ii) policy for the demolition of homes in their regional strategies.

Keith Hill: None. However it is essential that the evidence base and analysis that underpins the regional housing and spatial strategies reflect the levels of demolition needed to tackle problems of over-supply or obsolete stock.

Social Housing

Matthew Green: To ask the Deputy Prime Minister how many of the new social rented homes that will be delivered through the expanded private finance initiative by 200708 will be provided in each Government Office region.

Keith Hill: The 2004 Spending Review allocated 1.22 billion private finance initiative (PFI) credits to the Housing PFI programme. As yet the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister does not know where the provision of new social rented homes will be in the regions. The assessment of bids for the SR04 allocation is still underway but an announcement on the outcome is scheduled in spring 2005.

Crown Prosecution Service

Colin Pickthall: To ask the Solicitor-General how many complaints were received by her Department about decisions of the Crown Prosecution Service in 2004.

Harriet Harman: The Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers established a correspondence unit on 1 November 2004 to handle the large amount of correspondence it receives.
	It is not possible to ascertain with any degree of accuracy what proportion of the correspondence received relates to complaints about CPS decisions. Individual files would have to be checked for content which would incur disproportionate costs.

Freedom of Information

Llew Smith: To ask the Solicitor-General if she will list the (a) documents and (b) other written material released to date by her Department under the Freedom of Information Act 2000; and what categories of information her Office has refused to release.

Harriet Harman: To date my Department has released the following documents.
	(1) In relation to my noble and learned Friend the Attorney-General's advice on the legality of the use of force against Iraq:
	(a) A letter from me to Graham Allen MP, 25 October 2002;
	(b) A letter from the Prime Minister to Charles Kennedy MP, 14 March 2003;
	(c) A letter dated 14 March 2003 from the Legal Secretary to the Law Officers to the Prime Minister's Private Secretary;
	(d) A letter dated 15 March 2003 from the Prime Minister's Private Secretary to the Legal Secretary to the Law Officers;
	(e) A letter dated 21 March 2003 from a judge at the Manchester Crown court;
	(f) A letter dated 15 April 2003 sent on behalf of the Attorney-General to the Crown court judge;
	(g) A letter dated 16 April 2003 from the Crown court judge;
	(h) A letter dated 9 May 2003 from Lord Alexander QC;
	(i) A letter dated 21 May 2003 in reply to Lord Alexander;
	(j) A letter from the Attorney-General to David Hughes, 29 July 2003;
	(k) A letter from me to Tam Dalyell MP, 27 August 2003;
	(l) A letter from the Attorney-General to Graham Allen MP, 29 August 2003;
	(m) A letter from the Attorney-General to Graham Allen MP, 3 November 2003;
	(n) A letter from the Legal Secretariat to the Law Officers to the PS/Foreign Secretary, 4 November 2003;
	(o) A letter from Baroness Symons to Baroness Williams, 15 November 2004;
	(p) A letter from the Attorney-General to Benedict Birnberg, 14 December 2004
	(q) A statement by the Attorney-General of 25 February 2005 on the process leading up to the Attorney-General's written answer to Parliament on 17 March 2003;
	(2) In relation to the Attorney's appearance before the Butler Review:
	(a) An extract from a briefing note prepared for the Attorney-General's oral evidence session, 4 May 2004, on the resignation of Ms Elizabeth Wilmshurst from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office;
	(b) An extract from a document entitled Key Extracts from Butler Report to Draw On (undated), on the same subject;
	(c) A note submitted to the Review entitled Procedures for the Provision of Law Officers' Advice to the Government;
	(3) A paper setting out my noble and learned Friend the Attorney-General's Ministerial Superintendence of the Army Prosecuting Authority;
	(4) An extract from the minutes of a meeting of the Attorney-General with the Serious Fraud Office;
	56).
	My Office has not released information which we have judged exempt from disclosure under the Act, notably but not exclusively in relation to Sections 23 (information supplied by or related to bodies dealing with security matters), 27 (international relations), 35 (formulation or development of Government policy, including the specific exemption at Section 33(1)(c) for Law Officers' advice) and 42 (legal professional privilege).

Airguns

Jeff Ennis: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many (a) injuries and (b) deaths have been reported as a direct result of airgun incidents in each of the last eight years.

Caroline Flint: Statistics on the number of crimes recorded by the police in which an air weapon was reported to have caused injury are contained in Table 2.06 of Home Office Statistical Bulletin 02/05 'Crime in England and Wales 200304: Supplementary Volume 1: Homicide and Gun Crime'. Table 2b of that publication gives the available statistics on fatal injuries reported to have been caused by an air weapon. Copies of this publication are available in the Library and it is also available on the Home Office website at: http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/rds/pdfs05/hosb0205.pdf

Civil Servants

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff working for the National Offender Management Services (NOMS) are situated at (a) NOMS headquarters, (b) Prison Service headquarters and (c) Probation Service headquarters.

Paul Goggins: The Prison Service headquarters and the National Probation Directorate both form parts of the National Offender Management Service.
	The new National Offender Management Service headquarters, alongside the Prison Service and Probation Service headquarters, is being redesigned. A proposal, including the allocation of staff to Directorates, has been put forward to staff and trade unions for their comments. The new headquarters is being planned for April 2005 and I will write to the hon. Member once the design of the new headquarters has been agreed.

Civil Servants

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many staff have been transferred from (a) Her Majesty's Prison Service and (b) the Probation Service to the National Offender Management Service.

Paul Goggins: The new National Offender Management Service (NOMS) headquarters, alongside the Prison Service and Probation Service headquarters, is being redesigned. A proposal, including the allocation of staff to directorates, has been put forward to staff and trade unions for their comments. The new headquarters is being planned for April 2005.
	It is intended to effect formal staff transfers from the Prison Service and from the National Probation Directorate into NOMS headquarters on 31 March. I will write to the hon. Member once the design of the new headquarters has been agreed.

Cycling

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 1 March 2004, Official Report, column 1098W, on cycling, if he will make it his policy to record centrally how many cyclists involved in road accidents were reported as cycling without lights.

David Jamieson: I have been asked to reply.
	Personal injury road accident data in Great Britain is collected by the police and reported to the Department for Transport using the STATS 19 accident report format. From the 1 January 2005 the police were asked to record contributory factors to road accidents as part of the STATS 19 form. Among the factors included are Impairment or DistractionNot displaying lights at night or in poor visibility and Impairment or DistractionCyclist wearing dark clothing at night. The contributory factor data will become available in the summer of 2006.

Dangerous Driving

Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department when he expects to make available the resources needed to implement the Government's policy of increasing the maximum penalty for dangerous driving from two to five years' imprisonment.

Caroline Flint: holding answer 17 March 2005
	The Government have a commitment arising from the Review of Road Traffic Penalties to increase the maximum penalty for dangerous driving.
	It is our intention to implement this measure as part of a package of measures arising from the Consultation on the Review of Road Traffic Offences involving Bad Driving. This Consultation paper was published on 3 February and the consultation exercise will close on 6 May.
	The funding for, and implementation of, this package will be agreed once the assessment of the consultation has been completed later this year.

Departmental Dress Code

Parmjit Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his Department's policy is on the wearing of the kirpan by Sikh employees.

Fiona Mactaggart: holding answer 18 March 2005
	The Criminal Justice Act 1988 makes it an offence for a person in a public place to have a bladed or sharply pointed articleother than a small folding pocket knifewithout good reason. The onus is on the knife carrier to show they have a good reason for carrying it. However, the Act exempts Sikhs from criminal prosecution on the grounds that the kirpan is a religious article. Article 13 of the Treaty of Amsterdam and the Human Rights Act also protect the right of individuals to follow their chosen religion.
	Sikh employees are permitted to wear the kirpan.

Drug Treatment and Testing Orders

Adrian Flook: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what research he has commissioned on the variation in the rate of successful completion of drug treatment and testing orders between participants maintained on (a) methadone and (b) buprenorphine in (i) Somerset and (ii) England.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 17 March 2005
	Unfortunately, this information cannot be provided as there are no records held centrally relating to this research.
	However, In April 2005 The National Treatment Agency (NTA) will publish detailed information on clients in structured drug treatment during 200304. Although, not relating specifically to Drug Treatment and Testing Orders (DTTO) this research will give an accurate overview of the completion rates of individuals who have been engaged in different types of drug treatment and will include those on DTTOs.

Drugs Crime (Leeds)

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many drug dealers have been prosecuted in (a) Leeds and (b) Leeds West in the last 12 months; and how many of these were part of Operation Crackdown.

Caroline Flint: Data on drug offenders is collected at police force area only and is therefore not available in the format requested. The most recent Drug Offenders statistics, relating to 2003, were published on 1 March 2005 and are available on the Home Office website.
	Operation Crackdown was launched on 10 January 2005 and in this limited timeframe few of the people arrested and charged as a result of the operation will have completed their passage through the criminal justice system. Information on prosecutions following Operation Crackdown is therefore not available.

HMP The Weare

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will make a statement on the future of HMP the Weare.

Paul Goggins: The decision about the future of HMP the Weare was announced on 9 March.

National Offender Management Service

Neil Gerrard: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what plans he has for developing the responsibilities of regional offender managers under the National Offender Management Service; and what the timetable is for that development.

Paul Goggins: Regional Offender Managers (ROMs) will be key figures in the line of accountability running from those actually managing offenders to the National Offender Manager. They will have a crucial role to play in commissioning services needed to reduce re-offending.
	ROMs are already working with local probation boards in establishing the offender management model for community sentences and overseeing the separation of offender management and interventions within probation areas. Budgets for 200607 for offender management in probation areas will be agreed by the ROMs; budgets for 200607 for public sector intervention services in probation areas will be agreed by the director of probation and the ROMs; budget allocation for prisons for 200607 within each NOMS region will be agreed by the director general of prisons and the ROMs. The ROMs are working with a range of stakeholders to put in place regional reducing re-offending strategies during 2005

National Offender Management Service

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what assessment he has made of the effects of the introduction of the National Offender Management Service on (a) the level of centralised control, (b) community engagement and (c) accountability in the Probation Service.

Paul Goggins: The establishment of the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) now provides clear leadership and accountability for the performance of all the correctional services and for reducing re-offending. The effectiveness of the service will depend upon relationships between NOMS and its various partners at the local, regional and national level. This is a key feature of the feasibility work currently under way on organisational models for NOMS.
	In addition, the creation of NOMS offers a unique opportunity to sustain and expand existing community sector work with offenders. A draft strategy The Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in the National Offender Management Service has recently been published for consultation and is available on the Home Office website.

Prisons

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what his estimate is of expenditure per person on lunches for prisoners being held in prisons in England in each year from 199192 to 200506; what proportion of the food utilised was UK produce in each year; and if he will make a statement.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 17 March 2005
	The following table shows the best estimated figures for daily food costs per prisoner in public sector prisons, based on average national figures. Information relating to the daily food costs in private sector prisons is not collated.
	
		
			 Financial year Average public sector prisons daily food (cost per prisoner) () Estimated public sector prisons daily lunch (cost per prisoner) (pence) 
		
		
			 199192 1.11 44 
			 199293 1.12 45 
			 199394 1.28 51 
			 199495 1.35 54 
			 199596 1.38 55 
			 199697 1.41 56 
			 199798 1.43 57 
			 199899 1.44 58 
			 19992000 1.46 58 
			 200001 1.64 66 
			 200102 1.74 70 
			 200203 1.72 69 
			 200304 1.81 72 
			 200405 1.82 73 
			 200506 (4) (4) 
		
	
	(4) Not known.
	No discrete data is held for the period in question on the proportion of food provided in prisoners' lunches that is produced in the United Kingdom. The majority of food supplied (representing a fund of 38.1 million) is purchased from centrally-arranged contracts awarded to manufacturers and distributors. It is not possible to define the proportion of UK-produced food incorporated in prisoner's lunches, as products purchased include a combination of food, raw materials and packaging.
	Key product areas included in the 38.1 million fund include frozen food and meat, fresh and UHT milk, bread, fresh salad, fruit and vegetables. Of these, 100 per cent. of eggs, bread, milk and potatoes and 80 per cent. of root crops are UK-produced.

Prisons

Cheryl Gillan: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the maintenance costs for HM Prison Weare were in each year since 1997.

Paul Goggins: holding answer 17 March 2005
	The maintenance costs for The Weare prison since 1997 are comprised of three discrete elements; the vessel-specific facilities management contract, local maintenance allocation and other major maintenance costs. The first two can be broken down as follows:
	
		
			   000 
			  Facilities management Local maintenance(5) 
		
		
			 199798 (6)187 (6)129 
			 199899 (6)187 129 
			 19992000 187 129 
			 200001 192 129 
			 200102 198 129 
			 200203 219 129 
			 200304 251 129 
			 200405 257 129 
		
	
	(5) Has been increased in certain years through allocation from Prison Service area funding.
	(6) Actual figures estimated as not readily available.
	There have also been other major maintenance requirements at The Weare since 1997. These include re-painting, preservation work, a link span modification and the refit for the previous sea-worthiness certificate. In total these maintenance costs were in the order of 1 million over this period.

National Assets

David Lidington: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2005, Official Report, columns 100002W, on national assets, what his estimate is of the net receipts that each department will gain from the disposal of assets in each of the next three financial years.

Ian Pearson: The following table provides a current estimate of the net receipts that the Northern Ireland Office and the 11 Northern Ireland Departments will gain from the disposal of assets in each of the next three financial years.
	
		
			000 
			  Financial year 
			 Department 200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 NIO 3,600 
			 DARD 1,223 70  
			 DCAL 13   
			 DE 8 
			 DEL   1,000 
			 DETI
			 DFP 220 1,901  
			 DHSSPS 3,015 6,820 430 
			 DOE
			 DRD
			 DSD
			 OFMDFM (7)   
		
	
	(7) It is proposed that the former Royal Irish Regiment base in Magherafelt will be disposed of within the public sector hence no receipts will be generated.
	I regret that in my previous answer, the number of vehicles recorded for the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was incorrect. The Department intends to dispose of four vehicles in total (one Landrover and three Renault vans) and not eight as previously shown.

Primary/Secondary Education

David Burnside: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland for what reasons the present consultation process on admissions criteria between primary and secondary schools is restricted to parents who have access to a computer.

Barry Gardiner: This is not the case. A paper copy of the Consultation Document on New Admissions Arrangements and the Response Booklet is available by contacting the Department by telephone, in writing, by fax and by e-mail. The document can also be viewed and downloaded from the Department of Education website, and responses to the consultation can be made on-line. Over 17,000 copies of the Consultation Document have been issued to the main education interests including schools, churches, political parties, community and voluntary groups and, on request, parents.
	All schools were sent leaflets to pass to parents of school-age children to provide details of the consultation and how they can respond. Advertisements were placed in the three main newspapers (Belfast Telegraph, News Letter, Irish News) giving details of the consultation and the different ways in which people can obtain a copy.
	The Department is encouraging everyone to consider carefully the issues raised in the Consultation Document and to respond to this important issue.

Surplus Assets Sales

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland whether his Department sold any surplus stock on the eBay auction website, in each year since 200001.

Paul Murphy: There were no items of surplus stock, belonging to the Northern Ireland Office (excluding its Agencies and NDPBs), sold on the eBay auction website in each year since 200001.

Baku-Tblisi-Ceyhan Pipeline

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  whether she has monitored the expropriation of land for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan project in Turkey using emergency powers under Article 27 of the Turkish Expropriation Law;
	(2)  what monitoring she has undertaken of compliance by BTC with the agreed resettlement action plan for the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline project.

Douglas Alexander: A Social and Resettlement Action Plan (SRAP) Monitoring Panel, made up of international resettlement and social development experts, has been monitoring the implementation of the Resettlement Action Plan including the expropriation of land for the project. The SRAP panel's reports are sent to the lender group and are also published on the project website at: www.caspiandevelopmentandexport.com

BNFL (Prosecutions)

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many prosecutions of BNFL have occurred since 1 May 1997 excluding ongoing cases; on what date; and for what offence.

Mike O'Brien: BNFL has been subject to the following prosecutions since 1 May 1997.
	
		
			 Date of hearing Offences 
		
		
			 26 September 1997 Discharge of Caustic Soda into River Calder at Sellafield 
			  Water Resources Act 1991 sections 85 (i) and 85 (vi) 
			  Environmental Protection Act 1990 sections 6 (i), 23 (i) and 23 (ii) 
			  Salmon and Freshwater Fisheries Act 1975 section 4 (i) Authorisation Number AS5601 Conditions 1.1 and 1.4 
			   
			 2 September 1998 Solvent release into River Ribble at Springfields 
			  Failure to comply with Condition 1.4 Integrated Pollution Control Authorisation AS4494 
			  Failure to comply with Condition 3.2 of the said authorisation 
			   
			 2 June 2000 Nitric Acid Spill at Sellafield 
			  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974section 2(1) and 33(1)(a) 
			   
			 20 September 2000 Breach of Site Discharge Authorisation at Chapelcross 
			  Radioactive Substances Act 
			   
			 5 October 2000 Failing to comply with Improvement Notice (s33 HSWA) 
			  Failing to leak test radioactive source (Reg. 27 IRR '99) 
			  Failing to account for radioactive sources X2 (Reg. 28 IRR '99) 
			   
			 5 April 2001 Failing to register as a user of Mobile Radioactive Apparatus (s9 RSA '93)BNFL Sellafield 
			  Failure to register radioactive material (sources) (s6 RSA '93) at Barrow Marine Terminal 
			   
			 6 March 2002 Contamination eventSellafield 
			  Regulation 8, Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 
			  Regulation 7, Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 
			  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 (section 3 (1), section 33 (1)(a) and section 33 (1a) 
			   
			 29 March 2003 Arm injury to employeeSellafield 
			  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 sections 33 (1)(a) and 33 (1a) 
			   
			 30 January 2004 Dive Boat IncidentSellafield 
			  Health and Safety at Work Act 1974section 2 
			   
			 27 May 2004 Calder Hallunsuitable floor 
			  Regulation 12(1) of the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 
			  Section 33(1)(c) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974

EU Committees

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times during the (a) Italian, (b) Irish and (c) Dutch presidency of the EU the Committee for the development of the internal market in postal services and the improvement of the quality service met; when and where these meetings took place; what UK Government expert was present; and if she will make a statement.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The (EU Postal Directive) Committee meets twice a year in Brussels: and had its sixth meeting on 8 December 2004. A representative from the DTI or the Postal Services Commission (Postcomm) attends the meetings. In addition, the Consumer Council for Postal Services (Postwatch) made a presentation to the Committee on 1 July 2004 on the treatment of complaints concerning cross-border mail services.

Maternity Leave

David Crausby: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many and what percentage of women in Bolton, North-East have taken 26 weeks maternity leave since 1997.

Gerry Sutcliffe: The Labour Force Survey provides statistics on the number of women who are on maternity leave at a single point in time (spring) every year. However it does not record the total number of women on maternity leave each year or the duration of leave taken. Due to concerns about data confidentiality, the Office for National Statistics does not release figures at constituency level. The smallest area for which data is available is Greater Manchester.
	Over the eight years between 1997 and 2004, there were on average 6,000 women on maternity leave around spring in Greater Manchester. This represents approximately 1.2 per cent. of women in employment, and 0.5 per cent. of all women, in the Greater Manchester area.

Paternity Rights

Roger Gale: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she will take to enhance the paternity rights enjoyed by fathers to bring them into line with the maternity rights enjoyed by mothers.

Patricia Hewitt: holding answer 17 March 2005
	In 2003, we introduced a new right for fathers to take two weeks' paternity leave with statutory paternity pay, paid at the same standard rate as statutory maternity pay.
	In addition to this, fathers benefit from other provisions provided for working parents in the same way as mothers. The right to request flexible working, the right to parental leave and the right to time off for dependants all apply to fathers as well as mothers.
	Our recent consultation document, Work and Families: Choice and Flexibility, seeks views on options for a new scheme which would enable a father to take a proportion of the statutory maternity leave and pay which is currently available to the mother.
	Copies of the consultation document have been placed in the Libraries of the House. It is also available to download at www.dti.gov.uk/workandfamilies or to order from DTI Publications orderline on 0845 015 0010.

Renewable Energy

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if she will make a statement on the potential for promoting renewable energy in urban areas; and on what funding support is available to promote such schemes.

Mike O'Brien: The DTI's It's only Natural Campaign is a national campaign to promote renewable technologies across all regions.
	The objectives of the campaign are to:
	Raise awareness of renewable energy and its benefits among planners, councillors, investors and wider public audience.
	Inform and educate key audiences to enable them to make informed decisions.
	The DTI also has two grant support mechanisms to encourage the installation of small-scale renewables; Clear Skies, which as a 12.5 million budget, and the PV Demonstration Programme, which has a budget of 31 million. Both Programmes promote renewable technologies as well as providing grants.

Sellafield

Norman Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many drums of plutonium-contaminated processing waste are held at Sellafield; and what the (a) maximum and (b) average plutonium content of each drum is.

Mike O'Brien: holding answer 14 March 2005
	I am advised by BNFL that there are over 35,000 drums of plutonium contaminated waste held in storage at Sellafield. For drums of plutonium contaminated waste arising from the last 40 years of operations at the site the best estimate maximum plutonium content is around 170 g with an average plutonium content of a few grams.

Solar Photovoltaics

Helen Clark: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps she will take to support UK solar PV manufacturing and design once funding under the 2002 to 2012 demonstration programme ends later this year.

Mike O'Brien: The major PV demonstration programme is due to end in March 2006. Grants are expected to be paid up to March 2007.
	The Department will continue its support for PV through a low carbon buildings programme. The low carbon buildings programme is currently under development and there will be formal consultation on this later this year. The programme is expected to begin operating in 200607.

Apprentices (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many Government-funded apprentices there were in City of York in each year since 199697.

Ivan Lewis: The available local information on Government-funded apprentices is at Local Learning and Skills Council (LLSC) area, and prior to the creation of the LSC, Training and Enterprise Council (TEC) area. The following table shows the number of learners on apprenticeships in the north Yorkshire TEC area in October of each year from 1996 to 2000, as well as the number of learners on apprenticeships in north Yorkshire LLSC in October of each year since 2001.
	
		Learners on apprenticeships in north Yorkshire TEC/LSC by programme and month
		
			 Month Advanced apprenticeships Apprenticeships at level 2 
		
		
			 North Yorkshire TEC 
			 October 1996 700  
			 October 1997 1,400  
			 October 1998 1,700 600 
			 October 1999 1,800 1,800 
			 October 2000 1,900 3,000 
			 North Yorkshire LLSC   
			 October 2001 1,500 3,000 
			 October 2002 1,200 3,000 
			 October 2003 1,300 3,400 
			 October 2004 1,200 2,600 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The definition of in-learning changed in 2003/04. The old method only counted those in learning on the last working day of the month. The new method counts those in learning at any point during the month.
	2. The reduction in 2004 is due to the transfer of significant contracts from north Yorkshire LLSC to the LSC National Contracting Service.
	Sources:
	TEC Management information
	LSC Individualised Learner Record

Child Care

Vera Baird: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the role of the provision of culturally sensitive child care in facilitating Muslim women's ability to work outside the home.

Margaret Hodge: The Government are fully committed to ensuring that regular reviews of provision are undertaken locally and nationally to ensure services are inclusive and sensitive to the needs of all communities, including the Muslim community.
	We have taken a proactive stance to identify the issues, consider their underlying causes, explore potential solutions and establish successful approaches to all communities where they are needed.
	Available information seems to show that Bangladeshi and Pakistani families are the least likely to be using childcare and the most likely to have very low levels of maternal employment.
	We have commissioned a secondary analysis of the Parents Demand for Childcare Survey datasets to explore further ethnic minority group parents' use of, demand for and views on childcare over the period 19992001 by examining combined data from the baseline and repeat surveys. This research report is due to be published by the Department on Thursday 31 March.
	As the data is not collected by faith groups, we will need to use the ethnic definitions of Bangladeshi and Pakistani groupings. Although the analysed data was collected in 1999 and 2001, we will be examining the findings closely to help us better understand why Muslim families seem to be less engaged with local formal childcare services.
	Various studies as well as practice feedback that we have had from the experience of many Sure Start local programmes and other local childcare services show that when childcare provision is culturally sensitive Muslim families are much more likely to access services.

Dudley College

Ross Cranston: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment she has made of the financial implications for Dudley college of the funding gap with school sixth forms; and if she will make a statement on when she expects the funding gap to be narrowed.

Kim Howells: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council. The Department does not collect or hold information at the level requested.
	Government recognise that there are differences in the funding allocated to school sixth forms and further education colleges and have taken action to address this. We have brought up funding levels for further education colleges as we said we would without penalising schools. Our policy has been to continue to bring up the level of funding for colleges, as and when we are able to secure the resources to do so.

Education Funding

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment her Department has made of the funding gap between school sixth forms and further education colleges in Leeds; what the timetable is for taking steps to close the gap; and if she will make a statement.

Kim Howells: The Department allocates funds for education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector to the Learning and Skills Council. The Department does not collect or hold information at the level requested.
	Government recognise that there are differences in the funding allocated to school sixth forms and further education colleges and has taken action to address this. We have brought up funding levels for further education colleges as we said we would without penalising schools. Our policy has been to continue to bring up the level of funding for colleges, as and when we are able to secure the resources to do so.

Higher Education Funding

Tony Colman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what research the Department evaluated prior to selecting the minimum standard bursary and other bursary schemes as mechanisms by which to minimise the deterrent effects of tuition fees.

Kim Howells: In framing the variable fees policy, including the bursaries policy, we looked at overseas experience, especially in Australia and Ontario. We also looked at the results of offering Opportunity Bursaries to potential university students from poor backgrounds in selected parts of England.

Higher Education Funding

Peter Bradley: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what level of (a) tuition fees and (b) bursaries and grants for students are proposed by each higher education institution in England from 2006.

Kim Howells: The information requested has been placed in the Library.

Medical Schools

James Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will list the university medical schools which have admitted students for training which will lead to qualifications as a doctor with less than the equivalent of three Cs at A level; how many such students have been admitted in each year since 1997; and which university medical schools plan to admit such students in the future under the auspices of the widening participation scheme.

Kim Howells: The following table provides information on the numbers of undergraduate entrants to pre-clinical medicine courses within the UK, with less than the equivalent of three Cs at 'A' level.
	The admission and selection of students is a matter for individual institutions. Therefore the decision on whether or not to recruit such students rests with the universities, and they would take such decisions according to the merit and potential of the individual applicants. Although there are currently no Government programmes for widening participation aimed specifically at medicine, Aimhigher, a national outreach programme operating most intensively in disadvantaged areas, enables local partnerships to design and deliver a range of activities to raise the aspiration and attainment levels of young people.
	Alongside this, Aimhigher runs nine pilot schemes aimed at the health and social care professions to encourage wider participation from a broad range of social and ethnic backgrounds.
	
		UK domiciled undergraduate entrants to pre-clinical medicine with less than three Cs (or equivalent) 1,2 at A level
		
			 HESA institution identifier 1997/98 1998/99 1999/2000 2000/01 2001/02 2002/03 2003/04 
		
		
			 University of Leicester (11) (11) 10 (11) 5 5 25 
			 University of Warwick (11) (11) (11) 5 (11) (11) 25 
			 University of East Anglia (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 25 
			 Queen Mary and Westfield College (11) 5 5 (11) (11) 5 15 
			 University of Glasgow 15 10 15 15 20 10 15 
			 University of Nottingham (11) 5 (11) (11) (11) (11) 15 
			 University of Plymouth (Peninsular Medical School)(12) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 15 
			 University of Dundee 5 10 5 10 25 5 10 
			 University of Leeds 5 (11) 5 (11) 20 15 10 
			 King's College London (11) 10 5 5 5 5 10 
			 University of Aberdeen 5 15 10 15 10 10 10 
			 University of St Andrews (11) 5 15 (11) 10 10 10 
			 St. George's Hospital Medical School (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 10 
			 University of Exeter (Peninsular Medical School) (3) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 
			 University of Durham (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 (11) 5 
			 University of Sussex (Brighton and Sussex Medical School) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 
			 University College London (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 5 
			 University of Edinburgh 5 (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 5 
			 University of Brighton (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 
			 Victoria University of Manchester (11) 5 (11) 5 10 10 5 
			 University of Birmingham 5 (11) 5 5 5 10 (11) 
			 University of Sheffield (11) (11) 5 5 5 5 (11) 
			 University of York(13) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 Imperial College of Science, Technology  Medicine 5 (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 University of Cambridge (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 University of Oxford (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 University of Bristol (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 University of Hull(13) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 Queen's University of Belfast (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 University of Liverpool 5 5 (11) (11) (11) (11) (11) 
			 University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (11) (11) 5 (11) 5 5 (11) 
			 University of Southampton 5 (11) (11) (11) (11) 5 (11) 
			 University of Wales, Cardiff (11) (11) (11) 5 (11) (11) (11) 
			 Total 70 70 90 70 120 120 235 
		
	
	(9) Based upon students obtaining A level qualifications.
	(10) For years up to and including 2001/02, figures are based upon students with A level qualifications and a points score of between 1 and 17 A level points. For 2002/03 onwards the figures are based upon the students' tariff score from A level qualifications and includes students with 1 to 239 tariff points.
	3 Signifies 0, 1 or 2.
	(11) Delivery of the Undergraduate Programme began in autumn 2002.
	(12) First intake of students accepted in 2003.
	Note:
	Figures rounded to the nearest 5 and are a snapshot as at 1 December.
	Source:
	HESA

University Admissions

Helen Southworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance she has issued to the Office of Fair Access ensuring that universities do not discriminate against female candidates in the allocation of places.

Kim Howells: The Director for Fair Access has no remit over any admissions decision by a university. In our guidance to the Director, we have suggested that he discuss questions of under-representation in higher education with the Equal Opportunities Commission and other similar bodies, and work with them to help institutions understand best practice.

Every Child Matters

Andrew Turner: To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster if he will make a statement on the steps he has taken to co-ordinate Government policy in relation to Every Child Matters and family court proceedings; what his objectives were in so doing; and what the outcome of his actions was.

Alan Milburn: None.

Benefits Claimants

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many economically inactive claimants of benefits were of working age in each year since 1979.

Stephen Timms: holding answer 18 March 2005
	The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Colin Mowl to Mr. Frank Field, dated 22 March 2005
	The National Statistician has been asked to reply to your recent Parliamentary Question about the number of economically inactive people receiving benefits. I am replying in his absence. (222606)
	Data on the numbers of people who receive working age benefits has been provided by the Department for Work and Pensions. The attached table shows the number of people of working age claiming out-of-work benefits. Those benefits which are in the great majority of cases claimed by economically inactive people, have been distinguished in the table from Jobseeker's Allowance benefit claimants, who are required to be actively seeking work as a condition of their entitlement. The figures, which relate to the May quarter in each year from 1995 to 2004, are taken from a five per cent. sample of benefit records and are therefore subject to sampling variability. No data are available prior to 1995.
	
		Working age claimants of out-of-work benefits(13) by statistical group(14) Thousand
		
			  Inactive benefit claimants Active benefit claimants  
			 Quarter May: Sick and disabled Lone parent Other Total (15)People claiming JSA Total 
		
		
			 1995 2,493.5 1,020.2 344.0 3,857.7 2,218.5 6,076.2 
			 1996 2,562.4 1,023.5 336.6 3,922.5 2,069.0 5,991.5 
			 1997 2,616.6 992.7 283.0 3,892.4 1,573.9 5,466.3 
			 1998 2,633.5 940.9 256.8 3,831.2 1,292.6 5,123.8 
			 1999 2,651.9 916.8 245.6 3,814.3 1,208.0 5,022.3 
			 2000 2,679.1 890.8 231.8 3,801.7 1,024.4 4,826.1 
			 2001 2,746.5 867.6 204.8 3,819.0 925.4 4,744.4 
			 2002 3,753.4 836.1 195.8 3,785.3 880.3 4,665.6 
			 2003 2,768.5 825.8 190.0 3,784.3 883.2 4,667.5 
			 2004 2,771.1 787.7 194.2 3,753.0 797.2 4,550.2 
		
	
	(13) Inactive benefits included in the table are income support (IS), incapacity benefit (IB) and severe disablement allowance (SDA).
	(14) Sick and disabled claiming IB, SDA or IS with a disability premium; lone parents claiming IS and not receiving a disability premium; and Other (IS claimants not in any other group, eg asylum seekers, carers).
	(15) JSA = jobseeker's allowance.
	Source:
	DWP 5 per cent. sample

Burmese Imports

John Bercow: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the total value of imports from Burma was in 2004; and what the value was of each category of import.

John Healey: The total value of imports from Burma in 2004 was 74 million. The value broken down by category is available from HM Customs and Excise's website www.uktradeinfo.com and is shown in the following table:
	
		Imports from Burma into the United Kingdom, 2004
		
			 SITC(16)division Goods Statistical value () 2 
		
		
			 03 Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and aquatic invertebrates and preparations thereof 4,716,492 
			 05 Vegetables and fruit 239,601 
			 24 Cork and wood 749,090 
			 33 Petroleum, petroleum products and related materials 7,513 
			 59 Chemical materials and products (NES) 3,352 
			 61 Leather, leather manufactures (NES) and dressed fur skins 5,181 
			 62 Rubber manufactures (NES) 44,357 
			 63 Cork and wood manufactures (excluding furniture) 179,437 
			 64 Paper, paperboard and manufactures thereof 179,095 
			 65 Textile yarn, fabrics, made up articles etc. 64,693 
			 66 Non-metallic mineral manufactures (NES) 81,825 
			 69 Manufactures of metal (NES) 527,006 
			 71 Power generating machinery and equipment 2,193 
			 72 Machinery specialized for particular industries 198,660 
			 74 General industrial machinery and equipment and machine parts (NES) 392,739 
			 75 Office machinery (NES) and adp machinery (NES) 119,837 
			 76 Telecommunications and sound recording and reproducing apparatus and equipment 388,747 
			 77 Electrical machinery, apparatus and appliances and electrical parts thereof (NES) 401,167 
			 78 Road vehicles (including air cushion vehicles) 69,635 
			 79 Other transport equipment 7,965 
			 81 Prefabricated buildings; sanitary, plumbing, heating and lighting fixtures and fittings 35,337 
			 82 Furniture and parts thereof; bedding, mattresses etc 3,176,896 
			 83 Travel goods, handbags and similar containers 20,266 
			 84 Articles of apparel and clothing accessories 61,282,989 
			 85 Footwear 9,887 
			 88 Photographic and optical goods, (NES); watches and clocks 18,461 
			 89 Miscellaneous manufactured articles (NES) 649,087 
			 91 Postal packages not classified according to kind 266,383 
			 Total  73,837,891 
		
	
	NES = not elsewhere specified
	(16) Commodities as classified according to the Standard International Trade Classification (SITC) Rev. 3 system.
	(17) Figures are provisional.
	Source:
	Overseas Trade Statistics, HM Customs and Excise.

Correspondence

Bill O'Brien: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will ask Mr. Rushton, Assistant Director of the Tax Credits Office to respond to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Normanton sent on behalf of Mr. and Mrs. C. of Kirkhamgate, Wakefield and their claim for tax credits outstanding from September 2004.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 15 March 2005
	The Inland Revenue replied to my hon. Friend on 14 March 2005. Hon. Members can call the Tax Credit Office MP Hotline, details of which are available on the parliamentary website, if they wish to discuss an individual constituent's tax credits claim.

Defence

Keith Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the Ministry of Defence's near cash departmental expenditure limit is for 200506.

Paul Boateng: Table 13.1 of the 2004 Spending review (Cm 6237) sets out the cash equivalent of the Ministry of Defence's DEL.
	The figures in the table do not include the cost of current major operations.

Defence

Keith Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the difference between the figures given for the special reserve provision in paragraph A137, page 202 and in table C13, page 261 of the Budget 2005 (HC 372).

Paul Boateng: Paragraph A137 sets out the additional provision that was allocated to the Special Reserve in Budget 2005. The line entitled Unallocated special reserve in Table C13 shows what remains in the special reserve after allocations to Departments.

Defence

Keith Simpson: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the reasons are for the difference between the figures given for the Ministry of Defence's reserve budget in Spending Review 2004 (Cm 6237) and the Budget 2005 (HC 372).

Paul Boateng: There is no reserve budget specifically for the Ministry of Defence. However, since Spending Review 2004, the Government has added additional resources to its special reserve to make prudent provision for the costs of the military conflict in Iraq and its other international obligations.
	These additions are explained in paragraph 6.7 of Cm 6408 (Pre-Budget Report 2004) and paragraph 6.10 of HC372 (Budget 2005).

MRSA

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many deaths from MRSA there have been in Coventry in each of the last five years.

Stephen Timms: The information requested falls within the responsibility of the National Statistician. I have asked him to reply.
	Letter from Len Cook to Mr. Jim Cunningham, dated 22 March 2005
	As National Statistician, I have been asked to reply to your recent question asking how many deaths from MRSA there have been in Coventry in each of the last five years. (222947)
	The latest year for which figures are available is 2003. Numbers of deaths where MRSA was a contributory factor are given in the table below.
	
		Number of deaths where MRSA was a contributory factor,(18) Coventry,(19) 19992003(20)
		
			  Number of deaths where MRSA was a contributory factor 
		
		
			 1999 10 
			 2000 6 
			 2001 5 
			 2002 (21) 
			 2003 (21) 
		
	
	(18) Identified using the methodology described in Griffiths C, Lamagni TL, Crowcroft NS, Duckworth G and Rooney C (2004) Trends in MRSA in England and Wales: analysis of morbidity and mortality data for 19932002. Health Statistics Quarterly 21, 1522.
	(19) Deaths to residents of this area
	(20) Figures are for deaths occurring in the years 1999 to 2003.
	(21) Fewer than 5 deaths
	Source:
	Office for National Statistics

Stamp Duty

Howard Flight: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what projections he has made of revenue from stamp duty on (a) property and (b) share transactions in each of the next three financial years.

Stephen Timms: Estimated and projected revenues for total stamp taxes in 200405 and 200506 are published in table C8 of the Budget 2005 report. The breakdown between duty on land and property (stamp duty land tax) and share transactions is given in the following table:
	
		
			billion 
			  200405 200506 
		
		
			 Stamp duty land tax 6.3 6.7 
			 Stamp taxes on shares 2.6 3.0

Stamp Duty/Air Passenger Duty

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much revenue was raised by (a) stamp duty on the purchase of residential properties and (b) air passenger duty on commercial flights departing from a UK airport in each tax year from 199495 to 200304.

Stephen Timms: Stamp duty receipts from residential property transactions are given in Table 15.2 of Inland Revenue Statistics: http://www.inlandrevenue.gov. uk/stats/stamp duty/table15 2 october04.pdf. Historic Air Passenger Duty revenue figures can be found in table 2.1D of Financial Statistics published by the Office for National Statistics, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House.

Stamp Duty/Air Passenger Duty

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the expected revenue from (a) stamp duty on the purchase of residential properties and (b) air passenger duty is in 200405.

Stephen Timms: Stamp duties are forecast to raise 8.9 billion in 200405.
	Stamp duty Land Tax receipts from residential property for 200405 will be published later this year.
	Air passenger duty is forecast to raise 0.9 billion in 200405.

Stamp Duty/Air Passenger Duty

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer 
	(1)  how many passengers were exempt from paying air passenger duty on commercial flights departing from a UK airport in each tax year from 199495 to 200304;
	(2)  how many passengers were charged air passenger duty on flights departing from a UK airport in each tax year from 199495 to 200304;
	(3)  what estimate he has made of revenue lost to the Treasury in each year from 199495 to 200304 due to the exemption from air passenger duty of transit and transfer passengers on flights departing from a UK airport.

John Healey: HM Customs and Excise does not collect figures on the number of passengers departing from UK airports who are exempt from paying the air passenger duty. It is therefore not possible to estimate the revenue loss from exempting from the air passenger duty transit and transfer passengers on flights departing from UK airports.
	Historic figures on the numbers of passengers travelling in each air passenger duty category are published in the air passenger duty bulletin, a copy of which can be found on the UK trade information website www.uktradeinfo.com.

Surplus Assets Sales

Nigel Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the value of sales of surplus assets from his Department was in each year since 200001.

Stephen Timms: The information requested is as follows.
	
		Inland Revenue 000
		
			  Land and buildings Computers and office equipment Vehicles Total 
		
		
			 200001 
			 Net book value 1,164 2,458 6,107 9,729 
			 Proceeds of disposal17,954 
			 200102 
			 Net book value 0 2,749 2,825 5,574 
			 Proceeds of disposal3,032 
			 200203 
			 Net book value 225 3,709 5,227 9,161 
			 Proceeds of disposal5,718 
			 200304 
			 Net book value 377 1,223 1,087 2,687 
			 Proceeds of disposal1,263 
		
	
	
		HM Customs and Excise 000
		
			  Freehold properties Vessels Motor vehicles Total 
		
		
			 200001 
			 Cost   2,384 2,384 
			 Depn   -2,646 -2,646 
			 NBV   -262 -262 
			 Proceeds   73 73 
			  
			 200102 
			 Cost 1,000  2,150 3,150 
			 Depn -184  -1,553 -1,737 
			 NBV 816  597 1,413 
			 Proceeds 1,450  780 2,230 
			  
			 200203 
			 Cost 827  2,666 3,493 
			 Depn -100  -2,322 -2,422 
			 NBV 727  344 1,071 
			 Proceeds 1,400  220 1,620 
			  
			 200304 
			 Cost  4,855 3,286 8,141 
			 Depn  -4,290 -3,087 -7,377 
			 NBV  565 199 764 
			 Proceeds  443 272 715 
			  
			 200405  1,862 7,276 9,138 
			 Depn  -1,554 -7,894 -9,448 
			 NBV  308 618 926 
			 Proceeds  200 468 668 
		
	
	HM Treasury
	See information as follows taken from the published HM Treasury's Resource Accounts refer to Schedule 4Cash Flow Statement and associated notes:
	
		
			  Department Asset type Proceeds ( million) 
		
		
			 200001 HMT Post-privatisation investments (BT 102.6 million and PUK 25 million) 127.6 
			  HMT and OGC Misc. fixed assets 0.035 
			  OGC Surplus freehold property 8.16 
			 
			 200102 HMT Royal Mint PDC 1.5 
			  HMT Misc. fixed assets 0.083 
			  OGC Surplus freehold property 41.99 
			  OGC  0.014 
			 200203 HMT Post-privatisation investments (includes Powergen 19.7 million, Innogy  2.1 million and Railtrack 1.3 million) 14.2 
			  HMT Misc. fixed assets 0.4 
			  OGC Misc. fixed assets 1.59 
			  OGC Surplus freehold property 74.09 
			 200304 HMT Misc. fixed assets 0.016 
			 200405 HMT 1 Parliament street 22 
			  HMT Post-privatisation investments (includes International Pwr 1.2 million) 1.68 
			  OGC No material items expected  
		
	
	(22) Schedule 4 does not include 3.5 million not received till 200304 (see schedule 1)

Tax Credits

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what criteria are used for charging interest where an individual has been overpaid tax credits.

Dawn Primarolo: Interest is charged only where an overpayment of tax credits has arisen due to fraud or neglect on the part of the person or person(s) making the claim.

Tax Credits

Frank Field: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what research has been undertaken by the Inland Revenue into the likelihood of claimants reporting changes in circumstances affecting a tax credit award.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 21 March 2005
	I refer my right hon. Friend to the HM Treasury Document The Child and Working Tax Credits, The Modernisation of Britain's Tax and Benefit System, Number Ten, April 2002, Chapter 4.

Tax Credits

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much has been paid out to date for each tax credit in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales; how many households are in receipt of each tax credit in each case; and what the administration costs associated with each tax credit to date are (i) in total and (ii) as a percentage of the expenditure on that tax credit.

Dawn Primarolo: Total UK payments for working tax credit and child tax credit appear in the Inland Revenue Annual and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2004. Exact figures for each country are not readily available.
	Estimates of the numbers of in-work families in each country receiving working tax credit and child tax credit appear in Child and Working Tax Credits. December 2004. This can be found on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm
	The costs of managing and paying tax credits for 200304 are given in the Inland Revenue Annual and Accounts for the year ending 31 March 2004.

Tax Credits

Alex Salmond: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people with income greater than (a) 15,000, (b) 20,000, (c) 25,000 and (d) 30,000 are in receipt of tax credits; what percentage of total expenditure on tax credits has gone to people in each category to date; and if he will make a statement.

Dawn Primarolo: Child and Working Tax Credits: December 2004 contains analyses of families receiving tax credits at December 2004. It can be found on the Inland Revenue website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk/stats/personal-tax-credits/menu.htm. Table 6.1 shows an analysis of in-work recipient families by band of income used to taper the awards. Estimates are based on a sample of cases and are subject to sampling uncertainty.
	The figures for the bands requested, on the same basis and excluding those with awards tapered to zero at that date, are: Thousands
	
		
			  Numbers in receipt of tax credit 
		
		
			 (a) greater than 15,000 3,112.1 
			 (b) greater than 20,000 2,597.3 
			 (c) greater than 25,000 2,011.4 
			 (d) greater than 30,000 1,388.8 
		
	
	Analyses of the value of awards will be published on 31 May 2005.

Tax Credits

John Mann: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when the Inland Revenue expects to correct the payments of working tax credit to Vanessa Bates; and when he expects to reply to the correspondence from the hon. Member for Bassetlaw relating to her case.

Dawn Primarolo: holding answer 18 March 2005
	The Inland Revenue replied to the hon. Member on 11 January 2005. They will send him a copy of their letter.
	On 8 March 2005, the Department wrote to the hon. Member's constituent about her Working Tax Credit (WTC) and has since corrected her payments.

Terrorist Assets

Rudi Vis: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how much money suspected of being linked to terrorist assets (a) worldwide and (b) in the United Kingdom has been frozen since 11 September 2001.

Stephen Timms: Since 11 September 2001, 44 accounts totalling some 347,000 have been frozen in the UK. In total, 45 accounts, totalling some 378,000 are currently frozen by UK financial institutions. There is no global figure of the total assets frozenmonitoring frozen funds is a matter for individual jurisdictions.
	All organisations and individuals whose assets have been frozen in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolutions, associated EC Regulations and domestic legislation are listed, by HM Treasury instruction, on the Bank of England's Financial Sanctions website. Asset freezing is an essential measure in countering the financing of terrorism by denying terrorists and their financiers access to funds across the world. Taking action not only freezes any funds in the UK but also creates a hostile environment to deter terrorists from using the UK's financial system in future.

Benefits

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will list local authority wards where 50 per cent. or more of children are in families receiving out-of-work means-tested benefits.

Chris Pond: The information is in the following table.
	
		Children in families receiving income support (IS) or income-based jobseekers allowance (JSA) at August 2003: by local authority and census ward
		
			 Local authority Ward Children 0 to 15 in families receiving IS or JSA 2001 census population aged 0 to 15 Percentage children (0 to 15) in families receiving either IS, JSA 
		
		
			 Allerdale Moss Bay 520 977 53.2 
			 Barking and Dagenham Gascoigne 1,260 2,438 51.7 
			 Barking and Dagenham Thames 1,075 2,047 52.5 
			 Birmingham Nechells 4,210 8,058 52.2 
			 Blackburn with Darwen Shadsworth with Whitebirk 1,090 2,173 50.2 
			 Brent Harlesden 1,670 2,906 57.5 
			 Brent Stonebridge 2,240 4,413 50.8 
			 Bridgend Bettws 275 501 54.9 
			 Bristol, City of Lawrence Hill 1,565 2,131 73.4 
			 Camden Kilburn 865 1,729 50.0 
			 Cardiff Adamsdown 675 1,201 56.2 
			 Cardiff Butetown 455 869 52.4 
			 Denbighshire Rhyl West 495 850 58.2 
			 East Ayrshire Shortlees 540 1,032 52.3 
			 Edinburgh, City of Craigmillar 1,150 1,657 69.4 
			 Glasgow City Anderston 335 567 59.1 
			 Glasgow City Barlanark 1,105 1,935 57.1 
			 Glasgow City Braidfauld 880 1,554 56.6 
			 Glasgow City Bridgeton/Dalmarnock 610 992 61.5 
			 Glasgow City Glenwood 1,175 1,978 59.4 
			 Glasgow City Hutchesontown 675 1,014 66.6 
			 Glasgow City Ibrox 725 1,428 50.8 
			 Glasgow City Keppochhill 790 1,407 56.1 
			 Glasgow City Milton 800 1,503 53.2 
			 Glasgow City Parkhead 1,015 1,476 68.8 
			 Glasgow City Queenslie 890 1,477 60.3 
			 Glasgow City Summerhill 1,090 1,923 56.7 
			 Glasgow City Toryglen 655 1,310 50.0 
			 Great Yarmouth Nelson 845 1,538 54.9 
			 Greenwich Woolwich Riverside 1,655 3,213 51.5 
			 Hackney Chatham 1,335 2,385 56.0 
			 Hackney Haggerston 1,195 2,344 51.0 
			 Hackney Hoxton 1,090 2,111 51.6 
			 Hackney Queensbridge 1,170 2,219 52.7 
			 Hackney Victoria 1,400 2,788 50.2 
			 Hackney Wick 1,310 2,594 50.5 
			 Halton Windmill Hill 400 690 58.0 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham College Park and Old Oak 840 1,461 57.5 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham Wormholt and White City 1,405 2,728 51.5 
			 Haringey Noel Park 1,235 2,207 56.0 
			 Haringey Northumberland Park 1,815 3,302 55.0 
			 Haringey St. Ann's 1,225 2,367 51.8 
			 Haringey Tottenham Green 1,465 2,652 55.2 
			 Haringey Tottenham Hale 1,670 3,294 50.7 
			 Haringey White Hart Lane 1,720 3,176 54.2 
			 Highland Merkinch 415 732 56.7 
			 Inverclyde Ward 8 340 580 58.6 
			 Islington Bunhill 905 1,692 53.5 
			 Islington Finsbury Park 1,260 2,432 51.8 
			 Islington Holloway 1,015 1,911 53.1 
			 Islington Mildmay 1,095 2,182 50.2 
			 Kingston upon Hull Myton 990 1,792 55.2 
			 Kingston upon Hull Orchard Park and Greenwood 2,025 4,051 50.0 
			 Kingston upon Hull St. Andrew's 755 1,430 52.8 
			 Knowsley Cantril Farm 595 988 60.2 
			 Knowsley Cherryfield 715 1,283 55.7 
			 Knowsley Kirby Central 825 1,484 55.6 
			 Knowsley Longview 995 1,511 65.9 
			 Knowsley Northwood 525 1,014 51.8 
			 Knowsley Princess 1,210 1,718 70.4 
			 Knowsley Tower Hill 1,315 2,589 50.8 
			 Lambeth Tulse Hill 1,415 2,749 51.5 
			 Leicester Charnwood 1,510 3,014 50.1 
			 Leicester Freemen 1,165 2,272 51.3 
			 Liverpool Abercromby 860 1,307 65.8 
			 Liverpool Breckfield 1,515 2,347 64.6 
			 Liverpool Everton 840 1,172 71.7 
			 Liverpool Granby 1,885 2,452 76.9 
			 Liverpool Kensington 1,340 2,523 53.1 
			 Liverpool Melrose 1,470 2,777 52.9 
			 Liverpool Pirrie 1,655 3,244 51.0 
			 Liverpool Smithdown 1,020 1,956 52.1 
			 Liverpool Speke 1,325 2,302 57.6 
			 Liverpool Vauxhall 900 1,359 66.2 
			 Manchester Ardwick 1,260 1,958 64.4 
			 Manchester Benchill 1,695 3,096 54.7 
			 Manchester Beswick and Clayton 1,485 2,314 64.2 
			 Manchester Blackley 1,240 2,327 53.3 
			 Manchester Bradford 1,485 2,120 70.0 
			 Manchester Central 950 1,609 59.0 
			 Manchester Cheetham 1,975 3,630 54.4 
			 Manchester Gorton South 1,725 2,985 57.8 
			 Manchester Harpurhey 1,545 2,017 76.6 
			 Manchester Hulme 1,080 1,500 72.0 
			 Manchester Moss Side 2,020 2,804 72.0 
			 Manchester Newton Heath 1,295 2,540 51.0 
			 Merthyr Tydfil Gurnos 630 1,221 51.6 
			 Middlesbrough Middlehaven 465 823 56.5 
			 Middlesbrough Park End 905 1,801 50.2 
			 Middlesbrough Thorntree 1,025 1,766 58.0 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Byker 840 1,509 55.7 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Elswick 1,000 1,948 51.3 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Moorside 725 1,228 59.0 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne Walker 940 1,703 55.2 
			 Newcastle upon Tyne West City 635 888 71.5 
			 Newham Canning Town North 1,665 3,105 53.6 
			 Newham Canning Town South 1,940 2,987 64.9 
			 Newham Royal Docks 910 1,497 60.8 
			 Newport Pillgwenlly 775 1,437 53.9 
			 Newport Tredegar Park 540 1,070 50.5 
			 North Lanarkshire Craigneuk 465 925 50.3 
			 Nottingham Aspley 2,775 5,029 55.2 
			 Nottingham Bridge 830 1,607 51.6 
			 Nottingham St Ann's 1,445 2,458 58.8 
			 Preston Ribbleton 1,005 1,983 50.7 
			 Redcar and Cleveland Grangetown 990 1,880 52.7 
			 Renfrewshire Ferguslie 690 1,357 50.8 
			 Renfrewshire Paisley Central 225 375 60.0 
			 Renfrewshire St. James 320 486 65.8 
			 Rhondda, Cynon, Taff Maerdy 360 702 51.3 
			 Salford Blackfriars 765 1,211 63.2 
			 Salford Ordsall 745 1,014 73.5 
			 Salford Pendleton 790 1,341 58.9 
			 Sandwell Soho and Victoria 1,185 2,129 55.7 
			 Sefton Linacre 1,815 3,418 53.1 
			 Shepway Folkestone Harvey Central 315 622 50.6 
			 Southwark Livesey 1,535 2,916 52.6 
			 Stockton-on-Tees Portrack and Tilery 540 1,052 51.3 
			 Swansea Penderry 1,545 2,804 55.1 
			 Swansea Townhill 1,220 2,216 55.1 
			 Torfaen Cwmyniscoy 145 248 58.5 
			 Tower Hamlets Blackwall and Cubitt Town 1,160 2,124 54.6 
			 Tower Hamlets Bow East 1,045 1,549 67.5 
			 Tower Hamlets Bromley-by-Bow 1,785 3,416 52.3 
			 Tower Hamlets East India and Lansbury 1,795 3,114 57.6 
			 Tower Hamlets Limehouse 1,540 2,903 53.0 
			 Tower Hamlets Mile End East St. Dunstan's and Stepney 1,530 2,809 54.5 
			 Tower Hamlets Green 1,980 3,310 59.8 
			 Wandsworth Latchmere 1,245 2,475 50.3 
			 Westminster Church Street 1,300 1,297 100.2 
			 Westminster Harrow Road 990 1,640 60.4 
			 Westminster Queen's Park 1,470 2,018 72.8 
			 Westminster Westbourne 1,425 2,121 67.2 
			 Wirral Bidston 1,660 2,934 56.6 
			 Wirral Birkenhead 1,975 3,052 64.7 
			 Wirral Tranmere 1,910 3,171 60.2 
			 Wrexham Wynnstay 330 634 52.1 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All wards based on census wardsthose current as at April 2003.
	2. Income support (IS) and jobseekers allowance (JSA) data is based on the latest published data relating to August 2003.
	3. JSA includes children within families claiming income based JSA only. IS includes children in all claims including those for minimum income guarantee.
	4. All benefit counts at ward level are rounded to a multiple of 5 to protect the confidentiality of individual claimants and their families.
	5. The total children aged 0 to 15 at ward level are based on the relevant 2001 census.
	6. The anomaly in the data for Westminster, Church Street is caused by either population changes between 2001 (census data) and 2003 (benefit data) or undercounting in the census.
	Source:
	Information Directorate, Department for Work and Pensions.

Low-income Households

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) pensioners have and (b) children are in families with an income of less than (i) 40 per cent., (ii) 50 per cent. and (iii) 60 per cent. of average earnings in (A) the UK, (B) Scotland, (C) England and (D) Wales.

Chris Pond: Robust estimates of the number of individuals in low income, within all countries of Great Britain, are not available. We have therefore presented all estimates as proportions.
	The following table shows the proportion of pensioners living in households with income below thresholds of national mean income in Great Britain in 200203.
	
		The proportion of pensioners with income below thresholds of GB mean income, for selected countries, 200203
		
			  Thresholds 
			  Below 40 per cent. mean Below 50 per cent. mean Below 60 per cent. mean 
		
		
			 Before housing costs 
			 UK 10 23 38 
			 England 10 23 38 
			 Scotland 8 22 40 
			 Wales 8 20 37 
			 
			 After housing costs 
			 UK 9 23 40 
			 England 10 24 40 
			 Scotland 8 23 39 
			 Wales 7 18 36 
		
	
	The following table shows the proportion of children living in households with income below thresholds of national mean income in Great Britain in 200203.
	
		The proportion of children with income below thresholds of GB mean income, for selected countries, 200203
		
			  Thresholds 
			  Below 40 per cent. mean Below 50 per cent. mean Below 60 per cent. mean 
		
		
			 Before housing costs 
			 UK 10 22 36 
			 England 10 22 35 
			 Scotland 10 24 38 
			 Wales 10 27 43 
			 
			 After housing costs 
			 UK 18 30 40 
			 England 18 30 40 
			 Scotland 16 27 40 
			 Wales 19 34 45 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Figures in the 'below 40 per cent. mean' column should be treated with caution and are considered less robust than results using higher thresholds.
	2. The estimates are based on sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for tenure, council tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error, and to remaining variability in non-response which is not corrected by the grossing regime.
	Further information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in 'Households Below Average Income 199495 to 200203', a copy of which is held in the Library.

Low-income Households

Alex Salmond: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people in (a) the UK, (b) Scotland, (c) England and (d) Wales live in households with income less than (i) 8,000, (ii) 10,000, (iii) 12,000, (iv) 14,000 and (v) 16,000.

Chris Pond: The information available is in the tables.
	
		Percentage of individuals 200203
		
			 Total household income at 200203 prices United Kingdom 
		
		
			 Less than  
			 8,000 6 
			 10,000 12 
			 12,000 17 
			 14,000 23 
			 16,000 28 
		
	
	Source:
	200203 Family Resources Survey, United Kingdom
	
		Percentage of individuals, 200001 to 200203
		
			 Total household income at 200203 prices Scotland England Wales 
		
		
			 Less than
			 8,000 8 7 8 
			 10,000 14 12 14 
			 12,000 20 17 22 
			 14,000 27 23 28 
			 16,000 32 28 35 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Family Resources Survey (FRS). Due to regional volatility, regional estimates are based on a three year average from 200001 to 200203. The UK estimate is for 200203 only, as the FRS did not cover Northern Ireland until 200203.
	2. Results are presented as percentages as these can be estimated more reliably.
	3. Figures are based on a total income at 200203 prices.
	4. The FRS is not designed to collect information on annual income. Earnings figures are based on last usual pay. Annual income is estimated by assuming that the income for the relevant period applied for the whole year.
	5. The figures relate to the percentage of individuals, including both adults and children, in households whose household income was in the band shown.
	6. The estimates are based on sample counts that have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to sampling error and remaining response bias.
	7. Total weekly household income consists of total income from all sources before deduction of income tax and national insurance. This includes all tax credits.
	8. Total income has not been adjusted for family size.
	Source:
	200001, 200102 and 200203 Family Resources Survey, Great Britain

Unemployment

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what he estimates the cost of benefits paid to people who were unemployed and seeking work in the City of York was in (a) 199697 and (b) 200405, at 200405 prices.

Chris Pond: The information is not available in the format requested. The information for housing benefit and council tax benefit is not available at this level. The available information is in the table.
	
		Jobseeker's allowance expenditure in City of York council area  million, real terms, 200405 prices
		
			  199697 200405 
		
		
			 Jobseeker's allowance   
			 Contribution based 2.9 1.2 
			 Income based 4.2 2.7 
			 Total jobseekers allowance benefits 7.1 3.9 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. All figures have been rounded to the nearest 100,000.
	2. The information relates to the City of York local authority area.
	3. Figures are consistent with the pre-Budget report 2004 and with expenditure information published on the internet at http://www.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd4/expenditure.asp (table 1)
	Source:
	Expenditure has been taken from departmental accounting systems and has been apportioned using 5 per cent. sample data for the relevant benefits.

Neurological Intensive Care Beds

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many neurological intensive care beds there are in England.

Stephen Ladyman: As at 13 January 2005, there were 80 neurological intensive care beds in England.
	The National Service Framework for Long Term Conditions, published on 10 March, sets out our vision for further improving access to health and social care for people with neurological conditions.

NHS Staff

Simon Hughes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what proportion of (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) other professionals in the NHS are foreign nationals or were trained abroad.

John Hutton: Data of the nationality of doctors, nurse and other professionals working in the national health service is not held centrally.

NHS Staff

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many (a) doctors, (b) nurses and (c) clinical staff were employed in (i) north and east Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority, (ii) Selby and York primary care trust and (iii) York hospitals NHS trust in (A) 1997 and (B) 2004.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table. Figures are not yet available for 2004.
	
		National health service hospital and community health services: Non-medical staff by main staff group in the specified organisations as at 30 September each year Headcount
		
			  1997 2003 
		
		
			 North and east Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire strategic health authority 
			 Professionally qualified clinical staff 14,596 17,532 
			 Qualified nursing staff (including practice nurses) 9,347 10,598 
			 Qualified scientific, therapeutic and technical staff (ST and T) 2,453 3,310 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(24) 999 1,115 
			 Medical and dental staff(25) 1,349 1,884 
			 Qualified ambulance staff 448 625 
			 Support to clinical staff 7,141 9,470 
			 Support to doctors and nurses 5,946 7,368 
			 Support to ST and T 914 1,657 
			 Support to ambulance staff 281 445 
			
			 Of which:   
			 Selby and York primary care trust   
			 Professionally qualified clinical staff n/a 1,295 
			 Qualified nursing staff (including practice nurses) n/a 807 
			 Qualified ST and T n/a 252 
			 General medical practitioners (excluding retainers)(24) n/a 205 
			 Medical and dental staff 2 n/a 31 
			 Support to clinical staff n/a 649 
			 Support to doctors and nurses n/a 610 
			 Support to ST and T n/a 39 
			
			 York health services NHS trust total 3   
			 Professionally qualified clinical staff 2,705 1,961 
			 Qualified nursing staff 1,928 1,191 
			 Qualified ST and T 506 469 
			 Medical and dental staff(25) 271 301 
			 Support to clinical staff 1,424 1,177 
			 Support to doctors and nurses 1,263 907 
			 Support to ST and T 161 270 
		
	
	n/a=Not applicable.
	(24) All Practitioners (excluding retainers) include general medical service (QMS) unrestricted principals, personal medical service (PMS) contracted general practitioners, PMS salaried GPs, restricted principals, assistants, GP registrars, salaried doctors (para 52 SFA), PMS other, flexible career scheme GPs and GP returners.
	(25) Excludes medical hospital practitioners and medical clinical assistants, most of whom are also GPs working part-time in hospitals GP and GP practice nurse data as at 1 October 1997 and 30 September 2003.
	(26) Following the formation of Selby and York primary care trust (PCT) in 2001, the provision of mental health services transferred to the PCT from the York health services NHS trust. The transfer of staff is reflected in the drop in figures from 1997 to 2003.
	Sources:
	Department of Health non-medical workforce census.
	Department of Health medical and dental workforce census
	Department of Health GMS and PMS statistics.

East Sussex Hospitals Trust

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps he is taking to reduce the number of cancelled operations in East Sussex hospitals trust.

Rosie Winterton: I am aware that there are concerns about the recent number of cancelled operations at East Sussex hospitals NHS trust.
	It is the responsibility of primary care trusts, working with their strategic health authorities, councils and other stakeholders to plan, improve and sustain services for local people.
	Leaders of the local health and social care organisations met early in March to discuss the operational problems faced by the hospital, and have agreed measures designed to help address these problems.

Solvent Abuse

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on levels of solvent abuse among young people.

Melanie Johnson: The statistics on drug use, smoking and drinking among young people in England 2003 indicate that 8 per cent. of young people aged 1115 abused solvent in 2003 compared with 6 per cent. in 2002.
	While deaths from solvent abuse have continued to decline over the past 10 years, the Government are keen to see these fall further. We have therefore been working with a wide range of stakeholders and other Government Departments to develop a framework for volatile substance abuse which will be published shortly.

Abortion

Jim Dobbin: To ask the Secretary of State for Health for what reasons the national abortion statistics for 2003 contain less detailed information than in the previous five years.

Melanie Johnson: As stated in the statistical bulletin summary, Abortion Statistics, England and Wales: 2003, the format of tables changed to reflect concerns over issues of privacy and confidentiality. These issues are now being considered in more detail and we have asked the National Statistician to provide the Department and the new Health and Social Care Information Centre with guidelines for interpreting the national statistics code of practice and associated protocols in the handling of health statistics that balance data confidentiality risks with the public interest in the use of the figures. We expect to receive these in the summer.

Cancer

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  whether he intends to make estimates of the number of people expected to be diagnosed with cancer over the medium-to long-term to inform the NHS Cancer Plan, as recommended in paragraph 2.10, page 22 of the National Audit Office Report, The NHS Cancer Plan: A Progress Report;
	(2)  what steps he is taking to define the roles and responsibilities of the constituent organisations of cancer networks;
	(3)  what steps he is taking to ensure that cancer networks (a) are fully staffed and (b) have adequate representation from NHS trusts and primary care trusts.

Melanie Johnson: The Department welcomes the National Audit Office report, The NHS Cancer Plan: A Progress Report, and will take account of the issues raised and the recommendations made as we further develop and improve cancer services. The report will be discussed in detail at a Committee of Public Accounts hearing scheduled for 23 March 2005. Sir Nigel Crisp, chief executive of the national health service and Professor Mike Richards, national cancer director, will give evidence at the hearing. The Government will respond to the Committee's subsequent report in the form of a Treasury Minute.

Cancer

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he intends to establish a pilot programme for raising public awareness of the symptoms of cancer.

Melanie Johnson: A pilot programme of raising public awareness of the symptoms of cancer will be set up this year.

Cancer

Andrew Lansley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects to complete the investment tracking exercise on funding for cancer services, as described in paragraph 1.10, page 10, of the National Audit Office Report, The NHS Cancer Plan: A Progress Report.

Melanie Johnson: As stated in the National Audit Office Report, preliminary results from the second investment tracking exercise show that the 570 million target should be met. Final validation of the data received is currently being undertaken, and it is expected that the results of the exercise will be available in spring 2005.

Cardiac Arrhythmia

Huw Edwards: To ask the Secretary of State for Health which NHS trusts are equipped to use electro physiological interventions in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia.

Melanie Johnson: All of the 29 tertiary cardiac centres in England are equipped for and capable of administering electrophysiological interventions in the treatment of cardiac arrhythmia. They are located within the following national health service trusts.
	Papworth Hospital NHS Trust
	Hammersmith Hospitals NHS Trust
	Royal Brompton and Harefield NHS Trust
	St. Mary's NHS Trust
	University College London Hospitals NHS Trust
	Barts and the London NHS Trust
	Guy's and St. Thomas' Hospital NHS Trust
	King's College Hospital NHS Trust
	St. George's Healthcare NHS Trust
	The Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust
	South Tees Hospitals NHS Trust
	Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust
	Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre Hospitals NHS Trust
	Central Manchester and Manchester Children's University Hospitals NHS Trust
	South Manchester University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Cardiothoracic Centre Liverpool NHS Trust
	The Oxford Radcliffe Hospital NHS Trust
	Southampton University Hospitals NHS Trust
	Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust
	United Bristol Healthcare NHS Trust
	Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust
	Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
	Nottingham City Hospital NHS Trust
	University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust
	North Staffordshire Hospital NHS Trust
	Royal Wolverhampton Hospitals NHS Trust
	University Hospital Birmingham NHS Trust
	University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust

Cardiac Health

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what action the Government are taking to reduce cardiac health risks among young people.

Melanie Johnson: I published the Choosing Health delivery plan together with Choosing a Better Dieta food and health action plan and Choosing Activitya physical activity action plan, on 9 March, which set out how the Government will deliver on a range of public health interventions to reduce the risks to the whole population and to key sectors, including young people. These plans set out in detail specific measures to reduce tobacco consumption, increase healthy diets and physical activity all of which are key behaviours for reducing the incidence of cardiovascular disease.

Carers

Virginia Bottomley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health when the Parliamentary Under-Secretary will reply to the letter of 7 February from the right hon. Member for South West Surrey on action for carers.

Stephen Ladyman: The Department has no record of having received a letter dated 7 February from the right hon. Member for South West Surrey on action for carers. A letter on this subject, dated 9 March, was received by the Department on 15 March and a response will be provided before the easter recess.

Chorley South Ribble Primary Care Trust

Lindsay Hoyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the process is for appointing a new chair for the Chorley South Ribble Primary Care Trust; and what the timescale is for the appointment.

Melanie Johnson: The Secretary of State has delegated his functions relating to the appointments to primary care trusts to the National Health Service Appointments Commission. I have asked the chair, Sir William Wells, to write directly to my hon. Friend with the information he has requested.

Deep Vein Thrombosis

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the level of deaths from deep vein thrombosis among NHS patients.

Melanie Johnson: Virtually all deaths from deep vein thrombosis occur as a result of a pulmonary embolism and most pulmonary embolisms arise from deep vein thrombosis in the leg. However, the precise description of this sequence of events leading to death, as provided on the death certificate, affects whether the death is coded as pulmonary embolism or thrombosis. Therefore, a figure combining the two causes is shown in the table.
	
		Number of deaths from pulmonary embolism and deep vein thrombosis(27), persons, England and Wales, 19982003 2
		
			 Calendar year Number of deaths 
		
		
			 1998 6,992 
			 1999 6,877 
			 2000 7,233 
			 2001 7,207 
			 2002 7,099 
			 2003 7,361 
		
	
	(27) The cause of death was defined using the International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes 415.1, 451.1, 451.2, 451.9 and 453.9 for the years 1998 to 2000 and, for the years 2001 to 2003, the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision (ICD-10) codes 126, 180.1, 180.2, 180.3, 180.9 and 182.9.
	(28) Figures are for deaths occurring in each calendar year.
	The Government have noted the recent report published by the Health Committee into the prevention of venous thromboembolism in hospitalised patients and will provide a full response in due course.

Drug Rehabilitation

John Battle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many people have received (a) treatment and (b) assistance from West Leeds community drug service since it was set up; and if he will estimate how many lives the service has saved.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested.
	The number of people seen by the West Leeds community drug services from April 2004 to December 2004 was 410. There are no figures for 200304.
	Treatment data from national drug treatment monitoring system is presented for each drug action team (DAT) area. The total number of individuals in contact with structured drug treatment services in the whole Leeds DAT partnership area for 200304 was 24,530.

Food Poisoning

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the principal cause of food poisoning in England was in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Melanie Johnson: Notified cases of food poisoning are based on clinical diagnoses; therefore, it is not always possible to confirm the cause of the illness. However, estimates made by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) 1 have indicated that the main microbiological cause of food poisoning is Campylobacter.
	Data for 200103 on the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of illness in England and Wales caused by the five major food-borne bacteria also indicate that Campylobacter caused the greatest number of cases in each year.
	Final figures for 2003 provided by the HPA are shown in the following table and suggest that the number of laboratory-confirmed cases of Campylobacter in England and Wales in 2003 decreased by 22 per cent. compared with the figures for 2001. Reliable data for 2004 is not yet available.
	1 G K Adak, S M Long, S J O'BrienTrends in indigenous food-borne disease and deaths in England and Wales 19922000. Gut 2002, 51:832841.
	
		Laboratory-confirmed cases of Campylobacter in England and Wales
		
			  Number 
		
		
			 2001 44,368 
			 2002 37,316 
			 2003 34,593

Health Funding (Leeds)

Harold Best: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of funding per head of population in each primary care trust in Leeds was in the last year for which figures are available; and what assessment his Department has made of inequality of healthcare provision in the city.

Melanie Johnson: The table shows the allocations per weighted head of population in each primary care trust (PCT) in Leeds for 200405.
	
		
			   
			  PCT 200405 allocation per weighted head of population 
		
		
			 East Leeds 1,077.31 
			 Leeds, North East 1,044.27 
			 Leeds, North West 1,001.55 
			 Leeds, West 1,052.69 
			 South Leeds 1,010.21 
		
	
	Source:
	Department of Health.
	Service planning to address inequalities in service provision is agreed between PCTs and their strategic health authorities and not with the Department.

Health Services (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many NHS (a) in-patient and (b) day patient beds there were in York in (i) 199697 and (ii) 200405.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the table.
	
		
			   Organisation In-patient beds Day patient beds 
		
		
			 199697 York health services national health service trust 1,171 32 
			 200304(29) York hospitals NHS trust(30) 778 43 
			 200304 Selby and York PCT(30) 375 0 
		
	
	(29) The latest data available is 200304
	(30) Following the transfer of community and mental health services to Selby and York PCT in 2001, the York health services NHS trust renamed itself York hospitals NHS trust.
	Source:
	Department of Health.

Health Services (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many patients had been waiting 13-weeks or longer for outpatient treatment at York health services NHS Trust at (a) April 1997 and (b) the latest date for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The table shows the number of patients not yet seen at the end of the quarter who have experienced a wait of over 13-weeks for a first outpatient appointment at York health services national health service trust in March 1997 and from 2002, at York hospitals NHS trust.
	
		
			   Number 
		
		
			 March 1997(31) York health services NHS trust 2,058 
			 December 2004 York hospitals NHS trust(32) 645 
		
	
	(31) The information given is for March 1997, as the data is collected quarterly.
	(32) Following the transfer of community and mental health services to the Selby and York primary care trust, the trust was renamed York hospitals NHS trust.
	Source:
	QM08 quarterly return.

Health Services (York)

Hugh Bayley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many finished consultant episodes there were in (a) total and (b) each speciality at York hospitals NHS trust in each year since 199697; and how many (i) hip replacements and (ii) cataract operations were carried out in that NHS trust in each year.

Melanie Johnson: The information requested is shown in the tables.
	
		Table 1: Count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) York hospitals national health service trust, 199697 to 200304
		
			  Total FCEs 
		
		
			 199697 60,956 
			 199798 61,177 
			 199899 65,143 
			 19992000 62,296 
			 200001 62,631 
			 200102 63,523 
			 200203 64,015 
			 200304 69,699 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	Grossing
	Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200203 and 200304, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health
	
		Table 2: Count of finished consultant episodes (FCEs) by main specialityYork hospitals NHS trust, 199697 to 200304
		
			 Main speciality 199697 199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 100 General surgery 7,290 6,929 7,618 7,620 7,493 7,440 8,034 8,727 
			 101 Urology 4,390 4,319 4,441 4,432 4,860 4,719 4,817 5,345 
			 110 Trauma and Orthopaedics 4,375 4,274 4,560 4,468 4,660 4,649 5,158 5,566 
			 120 Ear Nose  Throat (ENT) 2,211 1,833 2,134 2,166 2,193 2,301 2,050 2,041 
			 130 Ophthalmology 1,923 1,885 2,175 2,288 2,253 2,272 2,290 2,534 
			 140 Oral surgery 1,215 1,268 1,351 1,368 1,244 1,223 1,354 1,409 
			 141 Restorative Dentistry 422 397 364 333 336 339 0 0 
			 160 Plastic surgery 0 0 0 0 0 0 *  
			 170 Cardiothoracic Surgery 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 
			 180 Accident and Emergency (AE) 1,361 731 460 134  * 29 7 
			 190 Anaesthetics 1,174 2,345 2,469 2,292 1,906 1,918 1,882 1,879 
			 300 General Medicine 10,604 10,961 11,591 12,002 12,888 14,076 15,561 16,536 
			 303 Haematology (clinical) 814 1,043 1,310 1,391 938 824 667 684 
			 330 Dermatology 132 113 170 148 127 103 75 62 
			 360 Genito-urinary Medicine 0 * 0 0 0 0 0 * 
			 370 Medical oncology 0 * * 126 348 269 190 165 
			 400 Neurology 441 409 404 397 429 510 520 670 
			 410 Rheumatology 290 351 318 265 190 184 172 256 
			 420 Paediatrics 3,290 3,321 3,741 4,168 3,908 4,158 4,124 4,651 
			 430 Geriatric medicine 4,311 4,561 5,254 5,021 5,216 5,448 6,160 7,756 
			 502 Gynaecology 13,553 13,471 13,524 9,622 9,726 9,748 9,310 9,738 
			 610 General practice with maternity function 200 125 516 1,829 1,772 1,418 1,581 1,631 
			 620 General Practice other than Maternity 519 522 480 437 411 370 0 0 
			 700 Mental Handicap 174 53 60 34 31 38 0 0 
			 710 Mental Illness 1,288 1,223 1,166 771 821 687 0 0 
			 711 Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 72 64 54 47 57 51 0 0 
			 715 Old Age Psychiatry 838 904 854 745 744 696 0  
			 800 Radiotherapy * 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 810 Radiology 0 0 * * 0 0 * * 
			 822 Chemical Pathology 67 72 121 190 80 80 38 40 
			 824 Histopathology 0 0 0 * 0 0 0 0 
			 Total 60,956 61,177 65,143 62,296 62,631 63,523 64,015 69,699 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	Speciality
	Care is needed when analysing HES data by speciality, or by groups of specialities (such as Acute). Trusts have different ways of managing specialities and attributing codes so it is better to analyse by specific diagnoses, operations or other recorded information.
	Grossing:
	Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200203 and 200304, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.
	Source:
	Hospital Episode Statistics (HES), Department of Health
	
		Table 3: Count of finished consultant episodes with a hip replacement (OPCS4 codes W37-W39 and W46-W48) or cataract operation (OPCS4 codes C71-C72 and C74-C75) as a main or secondary operationYork hospitals NHS trust, 199697 to 200304
		
			  Hip replacements Cataract operations 
		
		
			 199697 424 1,010 
			 199798 366 1,035 
			 199899 435 1,337 
			 19992000 426 1,448 
			 200001 459 1,392 
			 200102 468 1,361 
			 200203 506 1,220 
			 200304 542 1,529 
		
	
	Notes:
	Finished consultant episode (FCE)
	An FCE is defined as a period of admitted patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider. Please note that the figures do not represent the number of patients, as a person may have more than one episode of care within the year.
	All operations count of episodes
	These figures represent a count of all FCEs where the procedure was mentioned in any of the 12 (four prior to 200203) operation fields in a HES record. A record is only included once in each count, even if an operation is mentioned in more than one operation field of the record.
	Grossing
	Figures are grossed for both coverage and missing/invalid clinical data, except for 200203 and 200304, which are not yet adjusted for shortfalls.

Healthcare-acquired Infections

Paul Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what (a) guidance and (b) circulars were issued (i) between 1987 and 1997 and (ii) 1997 and 2005 on the control of healthcare-acquired infections; and what (A) ministerial statements and (B) press notices on the subject were issued between 1997 and 2005.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 9 March 2005
	The table shows the guidance and circulars relating to healthcare associated infection and the linked topic of cleanliness issued between 1987 and 2005. The second table shows press releases on the same subject issued between 1997 and 2005. There were no ministerial statements to the House on these subjects during the time period stated.
	
		Circulars and guidance
		
			 Date Subject 
		
		
			 February 2005 Suggested framework for annual reports of Directors of infection prevention and control published on Department's website. 
			 7 December 2004 Revised Guidance on Contracting for Cleaning (including National specifications for cleanliness) (previously National Standards of Cleanliness). 
			 19 October 2004 Matron's Charter; An Action plan for Cleaner Hospitals 
			 8 October 2004 Audit Tools for Monitoring Infection Control Standards 2004: a publication produced by ICNA working in partnership with DH 
			 22 July 2004 Letter from NHS Chief Executive stressing the importance of infection control. 
			 12 July 2004 Towards Cleaner Hospitals and Lower rates of infection 
			 24 May 2004 Letter giving suggested competencies for Directors of Infection Prevention and Control. 
			 5 December 2003 Winning Ways: reducing healthcare associated infection in England 
			 June 2003 Infection control: Prevention of healthcare-associated infection in primary and community care. 
			 9 June 2003 Chief Medical Officer's (CMO) letter-PL CMO (2003) 4 Surveillance of healthcare associated infections. 
			 9 June 2003 CMO letterPL CMO (2003) 4 Hospital Pharmacy initiative for promoting prudent use of antibiotics in hospitals. 
			 10 January 2002 Getting Ahead of The Curve: a strategy for combating infectious diseases (including other aspects of health promotion) 
			 2001 National Standards of Cleanliness (Revised 2003) (Revised and renamed 2004) 
			 2001 Infection Control in the Built Environment (revised 2002) 
			 18 January 2001 The National Evidence-based Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare Associated Infections (also known as the 'epic' guidelines). 
			 2000 Standards for Environmental Cleanliness in HospitalsGuidance developed by ADM and ICNA and published in conjunction with NHS Estates. 
			 11 February 2000 Health Service CircularHSC (2000) 02 The management and control of hospital infection: action for the NHS for the management and control of infection in hospitals in England. 
			 13 August 1999 Health Service CircularHSC (1999) 179 Controls assurance in infection control: decontamination of medical devices. 
			 5 March 1999 Health Service CircularHSC 1999/049 Resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents action for the NHS following the Government's response to the House of Lords Science and Technology Select Committee report Resistance to antibiotics and other antimicrobial agents 
			 1998 Hospital acquired infection: Information for chief executives, why you need to be interested. 
			 March 1996 Guidelines on the control of infection in residential and nursing homes. 
			 March 1996 MRSA what nursing and residential homes need to know Department's leaflet 
			 21 April 1995 Health Service GuidanceHSG (1995) 18. 
		
	
	
		Hospital laundry arrangements for used and infected linen
		
			  
		
		
			 7 March 1995 Health Service GuidanceHSG (1995) 10 Hospital Infection Control-Guidance on the control of infection in hospitals, prepared by the Hospital Infection Working Group of the Department of Health and PHLS (also known as the 'Cooke report') 
			 1993 CDO letter PL CDO (1993) 3 Cross Infection Control 
			 1991 CMO letter PL CMO (1991) 18 Detection of Hospital Infection 
			 1988 Health Circular HC (1988) 33 Health services management: hospital infection control 
			 1988 DHSS: Health Service Catering Manual : Hygiene (1988) 3rd edition giving guidance to assist health authorities achieve and maintain safe standards of practice, including cleaning and maintenance, of services and service areas and equipment and food handling 
		
	
	
		Press releases
		
			 Date Subject 
		
		
			 7 March 2005 MRSA cases lowest ever recorded as NHS actions begin to take effect 
			 7 March 2005 Reid considering legislation on health hygiene in hospitals, nursing homes and care homes 
			 28 February 2005 Cleaners, Nurses and Doctors make improvements on Think Clean Day 
			 4 February 2005 Review panel makes progress on helping the NHS to fight MRSA 
			 20 January 2005 Chief Nursing Officer says hospitals must spread best practice on reducing MRSA 
			 21 December 2004 Government hits target of housekeepers half of all NHS hospitals 
			 15 December 2004 Top international scientists join health secretary in fighting infection : John Reid challenges scientists translate research into practical measures against MRSA 
			 7 December 2004 New model cleaning contract will help improve standards 
			 1 December 2004 First results from rapid review panel in battle on MRSA 
			 5 November 2004 Blood borne MRSA infection rates to be halved by 2008 
			 4 November 2004 Infection control training for over one million NHS staff: new Chief Nurse says all staff must play their part in fight against MRSA 
			 15 October 2004 NHS steps up the fight against hospital infections 
			 19 October 2004 Hospital cleanliness a top priority for new top nurse 
			 September 2004 Chief Nursing Officer's (CNO) Bulletin: Matrons make their mark, Clean hands equal clean wards, Hygiene checklist for nurses 
			 14 July 2004 New MRSA figures published 
			 12 July 2004 New action for cleaner, safer hospitals: Reid sets out plans to boost cleanliness and reduce infection rates 
			 July/August 2004 CNO Bulletin: Keeping hospitals clean and safe 
			 9 February 2004 Health Minister urges Accident and Emergency (Accident and Emergency) matrons to claim their 10,000 
			 5 December 2003 Drive to tackle hospital infections 
			 13 August 2003 Latest results for hospital food and cleanliness: no red hospitals found 
			 7 April 2003 Modern Matrons get 2 million fund to improve Accident and Emergency 
			 9 June 2003 CMO to step up fight against hospital infections: 12 million for hospital pharmacists and central monitoring 
			 19 March 2002 Cash bonuses for porters, cleaners and caretakers if they meet targets at work 
			 8 February 2002 Lord Hunt welcomes report into rates of MRSA hospital infection by NHS trust 
			 31 October 2001 Hospitals shine in latest cleanliness checks: WRVS invited on board to keep standards high 
			 10 October 2001 Maternity units receive 100 million to modernise and improve facilities 
			 31 July 2001 Empowering nurses and slashing red tape means better care and cleaner wards for patients 
			 23 July 2001 Health Minster Lord Philip Hunt announces new advisory committee on antibiotic resistance 
			 10 April 2001 Cleanliness standards in hospital are rising: cleaner hospitals programme a clear success 
			 4 April 2001 Heath Secretary brings back Matron to the Health Service 
			 17 January 2001 Ward sister have greater control over cleaning standards: extra 30 million to drive up standards as part of biggest ever clean-up campaign 
			 16 October 2000 All hospitals to monitor hospital acquired infection 
			 26 September 2000 Improving the ward environment for patients: cleanest hospitals to act as models for others 
			 31 July 2000 New NHS Hospital clean-up to improve patients' experience: extra 31 million investment for improving hospital cleanliness 
			 12 June 2000 Next steps in tackling hospital infections announced: Denham to publish Government's Antimicrobial Strategy and set out plans for NHS to publish infection data 
			 12 May 2000 Raising standards in NHS Wards 
			 22 November 1999 New framework for managing hospital acquired infection: infection control part of a new range of standards for the NHS (Controls Assurance) 
			 17 December 1998 Government Publishes Response To House Of Lords Report On Resistance To Antibiotics And Other Microbial Agents 
			 3 September 1998 Report On Impact Of Clinical Prescribing On Antimicrobial Resistance Published 
			 23 April 1998 Frank Dobson Welcomes Lords Report On Resistance To Antimicrobial Agents 
			 1997 Tessa Jowell responds to PHLS study into hospital acquired infection 
			 1991 Stephen Dorrell stresses government's commitment to a Cleaner, Greener NHS 
			 1990 NHS hospital receives national clean kitchen award: The Victoria Hospital in Blackpool won the major award 
		
	
	Between 1987 and 1997, cleanliness conditions in individual hospitals were the responsibility of the national health service trust to which the hospital belonged, and needed to comply with the Patient's Charter.

Hospital Readmissions

Nigel Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the rates of readmission to hospitals have been in (a) England and (b) Lancashire in each year since 1997.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 15 March 2005
	Information on emergency readmissions for all ages, within 28 days of discharge, has been collected since 200203. Prior to that date, the quarterly information related to the over 75 age group only.
	Table 1 shows the all ages emergency readmission rates for England for each quarter since quarter one (April to June) 2002.
	
		
			  Financial year  Quarter Rate of 28 day emergency admission for people of all ages (percentage) 
		
		
			 200405 3 5.9 
			 200405 2 5.9 
			 200405 1 5.9 
			 200304 4 5.7 
			 200304 3 5.7 
			 200304 2 5.5 
			 200304 1 5.6 
			 200203 4 5.5 
			 200203 3 5.5 
			 200203 2 5.3 
			 200203 1 5.4 
		
	
	Table 2 shows the information for the Cumbria and Lancashire Strategic Health Authority (SHA).
	
		
			 Financial year Quarter Number of people of all ages discharged from hospital Number of people of all ages readmitted as an emergency within 28 days of discharge 
		
		
			 200405 3 121,921 6,651 
			 200405 2   
			 200405 1   
			 200304 4   
			 200304 3   
			 200304 2   
			 200304 1   
			 200203 4   
			 200203 3   
			 200203 2   
			 200203 1   
		
	
	Notes (Table 2):
	Data for quarter 2 200203 is not available as not all organisations in the strategic health authority submitted a return. Traditionally, no estimates are made for in such instances. However, an overall England figure is estimated in such instances, as the margin of error is smaller.

Mental Health Care

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what targets his Department has for expanding the availability of cognitive behavioural therapies for patients with mental illness.

Rosie Winterton: We have no specific targets for cognitive behaviour therapies. However, the national service framework (NSF) for mental health, published in 1999, sets out the national standards for mental health; what they aim to achieve, how they should be developed and delivered and how to measure performance in every part of the country. Following this, the NHS Plan, published in 2000, set plans and targets for investment and reforms in the National Health Service in England. In addition, the Department's guidance, published in July 2004, entitled Organising and Delivering psychological therapies, addresses issues for local services wanting to deliver a better quality or more readily accessible effective psychological therapies including cognitive behaviour therapies.
	Copies of these publications are available from the Library or from the Department's website at http://www.dh.gov.uk/PublicationsAndStatistics/fs/en

Paluvizumab

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what instructions he has issued to primary care trusts and hospital trusts to ensure that they comply with the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations on the use of paluvizumab to immunise premature babies against respiratory syncytial virus.

Melanie Johnson: The recommendations from Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations are published on the Department's website at: www.advisorybodies.doh.gov.uk/jcvi/mins 01nov02.htm
	It is a matter for clinical governance on how these recommendations are implemented.

Sexual Health Services

Jenny Tonge: To ask the Secretary of State for Health 
	(1)  what use Kingston hospital trust in Surrey has made of the access money provided for sexual health services;
	(2)  what plans he has for increased provision of sexual health services.

Melanie Johnson: The Department has invested 26 million since 200203 to pump-prime improvements to sexual health services. It is for the national health service locally to decide how this money can best be spent in order to meet local needs, and no information is held centrally on how the allocations are used by individual trusts.
	A further 15 million capital funding was also made available in 200405 to improve genito-urinary medicine (GUM) premises and the Department invited bids for this funding. The Wolverton Centre at Kingston hospital trust was allocated 800,000 of this money.
	The Government have announced investment of 300 million over the next three years through the Public Health White Paper to improve sexual health. This includes 130 million to modernise services, 80 million to accelerate the roll-out of the national chlamydia screening programme by March 2007; 40 million to improve the provision
	of contraception services and; 50 million to undertake a national media campaign. A new goal of 48-hour maximum waiting times for GUM appointments by 2008 has also been introduced and a national review of GUM services and national audit of contraception services is taking place to disseminate best practice and inform future investment. Sexual health, for the first time, features in the local delivery plans of primary care trusts to strengthen the delivery of service improvements at local level.

Telecommunications Masts

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what recent research he has examined concerning the effect of 3G phone masts on people's health.

Melanie Johnson: holding answer 17 March 2005
	The National Radiological Protection Board provides statutory advice on risks from exposure to radiation and electromagnetic fields. Their recent publication Mobile Phones and Health 2004 (Documents of the NRPB, Vol 15, No 5, 2004) reviewed the possible health implications of mobile phones and base stations including the newer technologies such as third generation (3G). The NRPB reiterated the Stewart Report (2000) concludes that:
	the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to the health of people living near to base stations on the basis that exposures are expected to be small fractions of guidelines.
	Measurements around 3G base stations undertaken by both NRPB (www.nrpb.org) and by Ofcom (www.ofcom.org.uk) have consistently shown that exposures to the radio signals from base stations are lower than the guidelines published by the International Commission on Non-ionising Radiation Protection.
	Following an unexplained result on 3G base station exposures, undertaken in the Netherlands in 2003, the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme in this country is now supporting a research study at the University of Essex into the symptoms experienced by 3G signals on volunteers.

Telecommunications Masts

Iain Duncan Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health whether he has received reports concerning the health effects of mobile phone masts which he has not made public.

Melanie Johnson: Reports received by the Department on health effects associated with mobile phone technology have usually appeared in scientific journals or on the internet. The Department sometimes receives unpublished accounts, reports or letters, which it passes on to the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) for a considered view. The NRPB, or its independent Advisory Group on Non-ionising Radiation (AGNIR), have published reviews of the scientific knowledge based on the totality of work to date.
	AGNIR provided a comprehensive review of the science Health Effects from Radiofrequency Electromagnetic Fields, (Documents of the NRPB, Vol 14, No2, 2003). More recently, the NRPB reviewed the progress on implementing the recommendations in the 2000 Stewart Report in Mobile Phones and Health 2004 (Documents of the NRPB, Vol 15, No 5, 2004). These reports are available on the NRPB website (www.nrpb.org)

Wirral, South

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what per capita spending on health was in Wirral, South in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) the last year for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: Expenditure based on individual constituencies is not available. The expenditure per capita on health in Wirral Health Authority area and Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority area is shown in the table.
	
		
			per head 
			  Wirral Health Authority area Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority area 
		
		
			 199798 557.21 n/a 
			 200102 872.21 n/a 
			 200304 n/a 1,063.39 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. Expenditure is taken from audited health authority summarisation forms and primary care trust summarisation schedules which are prepared on a resource basis and therefore differ from cash allocations in the year. Figures are given in cash terms.
	2. Allocations per weighted head of population provide a much more reliable measure to identify differences between funding of health authorities and primary care trusts.
	3. Figures for 199798 and 200102 have been prepared using gross expenditure figures. Figures for 200304 have been adjusted to eliminate expenditure which would be double counted where an authority acts as a lead in commissioning healthcare or other services.
	Sources:
	1. Wirral Health Authority audited accounts 199798.
	2. Wirral Health Authority audited summarisation forms 200102.
	3. Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority audited summarisation forms 200304.
	4. Primary care trust audited summarisation schedules 200102 and 200304 for bodies within the above health authority areas.
	5. Weighted population figures.

Wirral, South

Ben Chapman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the average wait for operations on the NHS in Wirral, South was in (a) 1997, (b) 2001 and (c) the last year for which figures are available.

Melanie Johnson: The information is not available in the format requested. However, information relating to the Wirral Hospitals National Health Service Trust is shown in the table.
	
		Method of admission: elective (waiting list and booked cases). Mean and median time waited (days) for all operations. Wirral Hospitals NHS Trust 199798, 200102, 200304
		
			 Days 
			  Average waiting time Median waiting time 
		
		
			 199798 69 41 
			 200102 81 45 
			 200304 90 48 
		
	
	Notes:
	1. The main operation is the first recorded operation in the hospital episode statistics (HES) data set and is usually the most resource intensive procedure performed during the episode. It is appropriate to use main operation when looking at admission details eg time waited but the figures for all operations count of episodes give a more complete count of episodes with an operation.
	2. A finished in-year admission is the first period of in-patient care under one consultant within one healthcare provider, excluding admissions beginning before 1 April at the start of the datayear. Please note that admissions do not represent the number of in-patients, as a person may have more than one admission within the year.
	3. Time waited statistics from HES are not the same as the published waiting list statistics. HES provides count and time waited for all patients admitted to hospital within a given period whereas the published waiting list statistics count those waiting for treatment on a specific date and how long they have been on the waiting list. Also HES, calculates the time waited as the difference between the admission and decision to admit dates. Unlike published waiting list statistics, this is not adjusted for self-deferrals or periods of medical/social suspension.
	4. Figures have not been adjusted for shortfalls in data (ie the data are ungrossed).
	Source:
	HES, Department of Health.

Departmental Efficiency Programme

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence 
	(1)  what the planned headcount changes attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Pay and Personnel Agency, (b) Queen Victoria School, (c) RAF Training Group Defence Agency, (d) Service Children's Education, (e) Veterans Agency and (f) Warship Support Agency for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708;
	(2)  what the planned headcount changes attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Commander-in-Chief Fleet, (b) General Officer Commanding (Northern Ireland), (c) Commander-in-Chief Land Command, (d) Commander-in-Chief Strike Command, (e) Chief of Joint Operations and (f) Chief of Defence Logistics for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708;
	(3)  what the planned headcount changes attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Second Sea Lord/Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command, (b) Adjutant General, (c) Commander-in-Chief Personnel and Training Command, (d) Central, (e) Defence Procurement Agency and (f) Corporate Science and Technology for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708;
	(4)  what the planned headcount changes, attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Armed Forces Personnel Administration Agency, (b) Army Training and Recruiting Agency, (c) British Forces Post Office, (d) Defence Analytical Services Agency and (e) Defence Bills Agency for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708;
	(5)  what the planned headcount changes, attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Defence Communication Services Agency, (b) Defence Dental Agency, (c) Defence Estates, (d) Defence Geographic and Imagery Intelligence Agency and (e) Defence Intelligence and Security Centre for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708;
	(6)  what the planned headcount changes, attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Defence Medical Training Agency, (b) Defence Procurement Agency, (c) Defence Storage and Distribution Agency, (d) Defence Transport and Movements Agency and (e) Defence Vetting Agency for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708;
	(7)  what the planned headcount changes, attributable to his Department's efficiency programme are for the (a) Disposal Services Agency, (b) Duke of York's Royal Military School, (c) Medical Supply Agency, (d) Ministry of Defence and Guarding Agency and (e) Naval Recruiting and Training Agency for financial years (i) 200506, (ii) 200607 and (iii) 200708.

Ivor Caplin: The Spending Review announcement in July 2004 committed the MOD to reductions of some 10,000 UK-based civilian posts plus 1,000 locally engaged civilian posts overseas by April 2008.
	Agreements have been reached between Top Level Budget Holders (TLBs) and the Defence Resource and Planning Division (Def RP) on the number of civilian posts to be reduced during the next three financial years (i.e. in the period to 31 March 2008). A table showing a breakdown by TLB follows. This table represents our current assessment of how the reductions will be achieved (in some cases final decisions have yet to be taken) and it is not yet clear how the reductions will affect individual establishments.
	
		Civilian headcount reductions by TLB
		
			  Financial year 
			  200506 200607 200708 
		
		
			 DLO
			 Reductions programmed in STP -690 -1,340 -1,780 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction -1,850 -2,050 -3,790 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 -10 -30 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 -160 
			 Force structure reductions 0 0 0 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total -1,850 -2,060 -3,980 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions -2,540 -3,400 -5,760 
			 
			 DPA
			 Reductions programmed in STP +10 -30 -260 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 -60 -100 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 0 
			 Force structure reductions 0 -40 -90 
			 Other headcount reductions (image IPT) -10 +10 0 
			 Total -10 -90 -190 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions 0 -120 -450 
			 
			 2SL/FLEET
			 Reductions programmed in STP -10 -30 -40 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction -20 -40 -40 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 -80 -180 
			 Force structure reductions 0 -30 -60 
			 Total -20 -150 -280 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions(37) -30 -180 -320 
			 RFA manning uplift (STPO5) +80 +160 +140 
			 Total +50 -20 -180 
			 LAND
			 Reductions programmed in STP -200 -150 -150 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 -70 -240 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 -180 -350 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies -30 -100 -370 
			 Force structure reductions 0 0 -20 
			 Other headcount reductions (Allenby  Connaught) -280 -280 -280 
			 Total -310 -630 -1,260 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions -510 -780 -1,410 
			 
			 AG
			 Reductions programmed in STP +10 +10 0 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 -40 -190 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 -80 
			 Force structure reductions 0 0 -60 
			 Other headcount reductions 0 0 0 
			 Total 0 -40 -330 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions +10 -30 -330 
			 
			 GOCNI
			 Reductions programmed in STP -10 -10 -10 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 -30 -100 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 0 
			 Force structure reductions 0 -30 -50 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total 0 -60 -150 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions -10 -70 -160 
			 
			 STC
			 Reductions programmed in STP +30 +10 -120 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction -20 -110 -110 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 -90 
			 Force structure reductions 0 -270 -530 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total -20 -380 -730 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions +10 -370 -850 
			 
			 PTC
			 Reductions programmed in STP -10 -50 -120 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction -10 -70 -10 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 -190 
			 Force structure reductions 0 -110 -220 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total -10 -180 -420 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions -40 -200 -330 
			 
			 CJO
			 Reductions programmed in STP -170 -380 -450 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 -70 -130 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 0 
			 Force structure reductions 0 0 0 
			 Other headcount reductions +130 +250 +250 
			 Total +130 +180 +120 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions -40 -200 -330 
			 CTLB
			 Reductions programmed in STP +20 -80 -170 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction +40 +20 +60 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 -20 -50 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 -200 -400 
			 Force structure reductions 0 -20 -40 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total +40 -220 -430 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions +60 -300 -600 
			 
			 DEF Estates
			 Reductions programmed in STP -230 -620 -710 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 0 
			 Force structure reductions 0 0 0 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total 0 0 0 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions -230 -620 -710 
			 
			 SC
			 Reductions programmed in STP 0 0 0 
			 
			 DCP headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 LEC measure headcount reduction 0 0 0 
			 Other rationalisation and efficiencies 0 0 0 
			 Force structure reductions 0 0 0 
			 Other headcount reductions
			 Total 0 0 0 
			 
			 Total plus STP programmed reductions 0 0 0 
		
	
	(37) Excludes Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) personnel but includes HR and Finance Function Reductions.
	Notes:
	1. Totals shown are cumulative. Numbers are set out to the nearest 10, and represent our current assessment of how these reductions will be achieved (in some cases final decisions have yet to be taken). Numbers are based on full-time equivalent mid-year averages and include locally employed civilians (LEG). These figures do not include civilians employed in trading funds.
	2. Reductions Programmed in STPThese are posts which have been assumed will not continue from previous years' planning rounds. These posts fall mainly within the DLO, although some smaller reductions also fall within other TLBs and are due mainly to reorganisation measures which were ongoing prior to the efficiency programme.
	3. DCP Headcount ReductionThese are posts which are being reduced as a result of the Department's major change initiativethe defence change programme (DCP).
	4. LEC Measure Headcount ReductionIn addition to the reduction in numbers of UK-based civil servant, the number of locally employed civilians (LECs) employed supporting permanently based forces is planned to reduce by up to 1,000 in the same time frame. Numbers of LECs employed in operational theatres have not been included in the planning.
	5. Other Rationalisation and EfficienciesThese are posts which are being reduced as a result of non-defence change programme efficiency initiatives. The majority of these posts will come from reduced requirements for staff in, for example, the Head Office in Whitehall and in other Headquarters.
	6. Force Structure ReductionsPosts which will be reduced as a result of changes to the force structure.
	7. Other Headcount ReductionsPosts which are being reduced for reasons not included in the categories above.

Departmental Records Office (Hayes)

John McDonnell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 7 March 2004, Official Report, column 1542W, on Departmental Records Office (Hayes), what action he plans to take in response to agency staff employed by TNT being found in possession of drugs.

Ivor Caplin: TNT have a strict policy of zero tolerance of drug and alcohol abuse. The same policy applies at all TNT sites, and will continue in force at the Hayes site until its eventual closure. In accordance with this policy, the agency staff at Hayes found to be in possession of drags have been dismissed. No further action is required.

Low-flying Training

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence in which areas of the UK military low-flying training is carried out.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 21 March 2005
	The whole of the United Kingdom, in principle, is open to low-flying training by military aircraft, although there are areas that are specifically excluded. These include, the restricted airspace around civil aerodromes, glider sites, certain industrial sites, the major conurbations and other large centres of population (those towns with over 10,000 inhabitants). Coventry falls within the avoidance area afforded to the West Midlands Conurbation, which also includes Birmingham International Airport. For further details my hon. Friend may wish to consult the report The Pattern of Military Low Flying across the United Kingdom which is placed in the Library of the House on an annual basis.

Military Bodies (Funding)

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the grant-in-aid for the (a) Commonwealth War Graves Commission, (b) Ghurkha Welfare Scheme, (c) Welfare Council, (d) Victoria/George Cross, (e) Royal British LegionPolish Ex-Servicemen and (f) Royal British LegionWar Graves was for financial years 199798 to 200304.

Ivor Caplin: The Grant-in-Aid payments for financial years 199798 to 200304 were:
	
		
			000 
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Commonwealth War Graves Commission(38) 22,271 21,990 23,038 23,503 23,498 26,251 28,942 
			 Gurkha Welfare Scheme(39) 300 400 380 460 560 710 800 
			 Welfare Council 67 66 79 43 56 78 58 
			 Victoria and George Cross Association(40) 0 30 0 22 0 21 0 
			 Royal British LegionPolish Ex-Servicemen (41) 192 259 185 266 181 205 205 
			 Royal British LegionWar Graves(42) 147 147 125 100 127 127 127 
		
	
	(38) The United Kingdom Government provides the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) with a grant-in-aid for the maintenance of World War graves. Payment is made by each Commonwealth country in proportion to the number of war graves. The UK's share is 78.431 per cent.
	(39) The Gurkha Welfare Scheme is the field operating arm of the Gurkha Welfare Trust.
	(40) The Victoria Cross (VC) and George Cross (GC) Association receives a biennial grant-in-aid to assist recipients (plus two accompanying relatives) to travel to their biennial reunion in London.
	(41) The Polish Ex-Service Personnel Welfare Fund provides a regular allowance to members of the Polish forces who served under British command during the Second World War and subsequently settled in the UK. The War Widow/ers Pilgrimage Scheme enables widows and widowers who lost their husband or wife overseas between 1914 and 1967 to make one visit to their grave. Both schemes are administered on behalf of the Ministry of Defence by the Royal British Legion.

Military Bodies (Funding)

Keith Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the grant-in-aid for the (a) Scott Polar Research Institute, (b) Air Training Corps, (c) Atlantic Council, (d) Skill Force and (e) Millennium String-Pearls was for financial years 199798 to 200304.

Ivor Caplin: The grants-in-aid were as follows:
	
		
			000 
			  199798 199899 19992000 200001 200102 200203 200304 
		
		
			 Scott Polar Research Institute 35 35 35 35 35 35 35 
			 Air Training Corps 125 121 19 19 39 27 14 
			 Atlantic Council 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Skill Force 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 
			 Millennium String-Pearls 0 0 30 10 0 0 0

Ministerial Travel

Chris Grayling: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence which Ministers who have served in the current Government since 1997 have used aircraft in the Queen's Flight for visits which have been wholly or partially of a personal nature; on what dates such visits took place; and which Ministers have made payments to the taxpayer to cover the cost of that usage.

Ivor Caplin: The Ministry of Defence is not routinely made aware whether ministerial usage of No.32 (The Royal) Squadron is wholly or partially of a personal nature.
	Travel by Ministers makes clear that special flights may be authorised when a scheduled service is not available, or when it is essential to travel by air, but the requirements of official or parliamentary business or security considerations or urgency preclude the journey being made by a scheduled service. In respect of overseas travel by Ministers, since 1999 the Government have published an annual list of all visits overseas undertaken by Cabinet Ministers costing 500 or more during each financial year. The list published in 1999 covers the period 2 May 1997 to 31 March 1999. Where RAF/Private Charter aircraft are used this is shown in the list. Where there is an element of personal business, this is also shown. The Government have also published on an annual basis the cost of all Ministers' visits overseas. Copies of these are available in the Library of the House. Information for 200405 will be published in due course.
	All ministerial travel is undertaken in accordance with the rules set out in the Ministerial Code and Travel by Ministers, copies of which are available in the Library of the House.

Parliamentary Questions

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he will answer the question from the hon. Member for Portsmouth South, ref 199990.

Adam Ingram: I replied to the hon. Member on 28 February 2005.

Scottish Regiments

Annabelle Ewing: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the Answer of 21 February, Official Report, columns 2545W, on Scottish regiments, who is likely to carry out the study on the future of the Scottish Regimental museums; and when he expects the studies to be completed.

Ivor Caplin: holding answer 28 February 2005
	A study into the future of the Army's Corps and Regimental Headquarters, which might also cover issues such as the locations of the Regimental Headquarters in the light of the restructuring of the Army and the Infantry, is under consideration but no decision has yet been taken.
	It will ultimately fall to the MoD and the trustees of the museums to consider their future. The Scottish Division is also looking at a range of regimental issues arising from the formation of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, including the implications for museums.

Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs 
	(1)  what recent progress has been made towards the public service agreement target to improve the delivery of justice in all criminal justice system areas, with a greater increase in the worst performing areas;
	(2)  what recent progress has been made towards the public service agreement target to increase the level of confidence in the criminal justice system within ethnic communities;
	(3)  what recent progress has been made towards the Public Service Agreement target to increase the satisfaction of victims and witnesses with the criminal justice system.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Gentleman for Buckingham to the answer given by my right hon. Friend the Minister for Crime Reduction, Policing and Community Safety, (Ms Blears), on 16 March 2005, Official Report, column 336W.

Targets

John Bercow: To ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Department for Constitutional Affairs what recent progress has been made towards the public service agreement target to improve the level of public confidence in the criminal justice system.

Christopher Leslie: I refer the hon. Gentleman for Buckingham to the answer given by my hon. Friend, the Minister for the Home Office, on 7 March 2005, Official Report, column 1621w.

EU Regulations

Ian Davidson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many EU regulations, directives and decisions have been enacted in each year since UK accession; and how many have been (a) deleted and (b) are no longer in force.

Denis MacShane: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office does not hold this information. The House of Commons Library estimates that around 9 per cent. of UK legislation emanates from the EU. The details in the tables are taken from the annual Commission Report on the activities of the EU, which has in turn been collated by the House of Commons. The figures for EU regulations, directives and decisions enacted are only available for the years 19802003 inclusive. The figures for legislation repealed or expired are only available for the years 19972003 inclusive.
	
		EU regulations, directives and decision enacted between 19802003
		
			  Commission Council Total 
		
		
			 1980 5,901 instruments(41) 51 directives  
			   312 regulations  
			   136 decisions  
			 
			 1981 6,044 instruments 45 directives  
			   414 regulations  
			   150 decisions  
			 
			 1982 5,321 instruments 42 directives  
			   393 regulations  
			   128 decisions  
			 
			 1983 14,123 instruments 41 directives  
			   395 regulations  
			   108 decisions  
			 
			 1984 5,190 instruments 53 directives  
			   351 regulations  
			   99 decisions  
			 1985 7,442 instruments 59 directives  
			   447 regulations  
			   109 decisions  
			 
			 1986 12,081 instruments 74 directives  
			   473 regulations  
			   184 decisions  
			 
			 1987 8,212 instruments 40 directives  
			   458 regulations  
			   125 decisions  
			 
			 1988 6,799 instruments 63 directives  
			   434 regulations  
			   131 decisions  
			 
			 1989 5,737 instruments 79 directives  
			   394 regulations  
			   161 decisions  
			 
			 1990 6,298 instruments 65 directives  
			   380 regulations  
			   169 decisions  
			 
			 1991 6,130 instruments 72 directives  
			   335 regulations  
			   174 decisions  
			 
			 1992 34 directives 95 directives 129 
			  1,137 regulations 381 regulations 1,518 
			  385 decisions 134 decisions 519 
			 Total   2,166 
			 
			 1993 52 directives 65 directives 117 
			  1,160 regulations 325 regulations 1,485 
			  520 decisions 135 decisions 655 
			 Total   2,257 
			 
			 1994 24 directives 17 directives 41 
			  1,579 regulations 180 regulations 1,759 
			  445 decisions 72 decisions 517 
			 Total   2,317 
			 
			 1995 35 directives 39 directives 74 
			  2,801 regulations 242 regulations 3,043 
			  3,025 decisions 175 decisions 3,200 
			 Total   6,317 
			 
			 1996 39 directives 58 directives 97 
			  2,341 regulations 247 regulations 2,588 
			  2,806 decisions 170 decisions 2,985 
			 Total   5,670 
			 
			 1997 35 directives 34 directives (20 with EP) 69 
			  760 regulations 209 regulations (1 with EP) 969 
			  635 decisions 164 decisions (7 with EP) 799 
			 Total   1,837 
			 
			 1998 44 directives 53 directives (26 with EP) 97 
			  733 regulations 202 regulations 975 
			  537 decisions 196 decisions (7 with EP) 733 
			 Total   1,805 
			 
			 1999 55 directives 44 directives (14 with EP) 99 
			  842 regulations 144 regulations (11 with EP) 986 
			  516 decisions 139 decisions (18 with EP) 655 
			 Total   1,740 
			 
			 2000 38 directives 43 directives (18 with EP) 81 
			  606 regulations 182 regulations (34 with EP) 788 
			  557 decisions 24 decisions (4 with EP) 581 
			 Total   1,450 
			 
			 2001 18 directives 45 directives (23 with EP) 63 
			  600 regulations 152 regulations (15 with EP) 752 
			  651 decisions 30 decisions (3 with EP) 681 
			 Total   1,496 
			 
			 2002 44 directives 149 directives (36 with EP) 193 
			  602 regulations 164 regulations (24 with EP) 766 
			  610 decisions 57 decisions (6 with EP) 667 
			 Total   1,626 
			 
			 2003 61 directives 19 directives (41 with EP)  
			  648 regulations 154 regulations (35 with EP)  
			  560 decisions 30 decisions (9 with EP)  
			 Total   1,557 
		
	
	(42) These figures includes regulations, decisions, directives, recommendations and opinions (i.e. legislative and non-legislative instruments), as Commission sources prior to 1992 do not give a breakdown for Commission instruments.
	
		EU legislation repealed or expired, 19972003
		
			  Commission Council Total 
		
		
			 1997 27 directives 39 directives (1 with EP) 66 
			  503 regulations 271 regulations 774 
			  199 decisions 83 decisions (1 with EP) 282 
			 Total   1,122 
			 
			 1998 13 directives 46 directives (2 with EP) 59 
			  551 regulations 146 regulations 697 
			  260 decisions 192 decisions (5 with EP) 452 
			 Total   1,408 
			 
			 1999 17 directives 57 directives 74 
			  612 regulations 193 regulations 805 
			  381 decisions 141 decisions (14 with EP) 522 
			 Total   1,401 
			 
			 2000 21 directives 43 directives 64 
			  602 regulations 201 regulations (l with EP) 803 
			  131 decisions 29 decisions 160 
			 Total   1,027 
			 
			 2001 10 directives 49 directives (1 with EP) 59 
			  555 regulations 147 regulations (3 with EP) 702 
			  143 decisions 11 decisions 154 
			 Total   285 
			 
			 2002 32 directives 51 directives (3 with EP) 83 
			  398 regulations 149 regulations (5 with EP) 547 
			  178 decisions 21 decisions (4 with EP) 203 
			 Total   833 
			 
			 2003 33 directives 38 directives (8 with EP)  
			  328 regulations 69 regulations (1 with EP)  
			  122 decisions 25 decisions (5 with EP)  
			 Total   629

Interpretation/Translation Services

John Mann: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many companies have been invited to tender for (a) interpretation and translation services and (b) interpretation equipment provision for EU presidency meetings hosted by the UK; and what the value of each tender is.

Denis MacShane: I refer my hon. Friend to the reply given to him by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Rammell) on 31 January 2005, Official Report, column 716W. Since then, we have issued no further invitations to tender for interpretation services, translation services or equipment provision for FCO-run UK EU presidency events. Other Government Departments are responsible for arranging these services for their own presidency events.

Iraq

Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he included the text of the full advice from the Attorney-General on the war in Iraq with the correspondence he sent to his ministerial colleagues in advance of the debate on 18 March 2003.

Denis MacShane: No. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary wrote to ministerial colleagues and Members of Parliament on 17 March 2003 enclosing, among other things, a copy of his letter to the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the same date setting out the legal basis for the use of force. This included the Attorney General's Parliamentary Answer and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office paper entitled Iraq: Legal Basis for the Use of Force.

Lebanon

Jim Cunningham: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps his Department is taking to encourage democracy in Lebanon.

Denis MacShane: holding answer 17 March 2005
	The international community has been united in calling for Syria to withdraw its troops and intelligence personnel from Lebanon in compliance with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1559. My noble Friend, Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean visited Lebanon on 2425 February. In her discussions with Lebanese Foreign Minister Hammoud, she made it clear that we expect Syrian withdrawal to be complete and rapid, so that Lebanon can hold free and fair elections to its National Assembly without foreign influence or interference. My noble Friend also emphasised the importance of a full and transparent investigation into Mr. Rafic Hariri's assassination in Beirut on 14 February. The UK stands ready to assist the Lebanese Government in preparing for fully democratic elections.

Palestinian Authority

Meg Munn: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment his Department has made of progress made by the Palestinian Authority in reform of its security apparatus.

Denis MacShane: We have worked closely with the Palestinian Authority (PA) on reform of their security apparatus. The London Meeting on 1 March 2005 was aimed at supporting the PA in its plans to build the institutions needed to underpin a future viable Palestinian state. At the meeting, PA President Abu Mazen promised 100 per cent. effort on security, and set out detailed plans in this area, along with plans for governance reform and economic development. On security specifically, the early signs have been good and on 16 March 2005 Israel handed Jericho over to PA security control. It is imperative that the PA's efforts continue. We will continue to work with the parties and the international community to support the Palestinian Authority.

Sikh Employees

David Taylor: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what his Department's policy is on the wearing of the kirpan by Sikh employees.

Douglas Alexander: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office's (FCO) commitment not to discriminate unfairly on the grounds of religion or belief is set out clearly in our equal opportunities policy. This states:
	All FCO staff are entitled to be treated with respect. No staff should be exposed to unfair discrimination, including harassment, bullying or victimisation on any grounds, particularly gender, family status, race, disability, religion, faith or sexual orientation.
	The FCO does not have a specific policy on the wearing of clothing or items associated with particular religions. This includes the kirpan. However, in line with our equal opportunities policy, all employees are free to practice their religion.
	The FCO has taken a number of steps to address discrimination on the grounds of religion or belief. These include: diversity training for all staff, diversity objectives for all staff, provision of prayer rooms, and flexible working which enables staff to pray during religious festivals.